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{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{State of Odisha}}
[[File:Langur in Nandankanan.jpg|thumb|right|340px|A [[langur]]]]
'''[[Odisha]]''', a state in eastern India, is extremely diverse and gives the state abundance of natural beauty and wildlife. The districts in the interior are thickly covered by tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forests. The hills, plateaus and isolated areas of the northeastern part of the state are covered by the tropical moist deciduous forests whereas the dry deciduos forests are located in the southwest region of the state. Some of the trees which grow in abundance in Odisha are [[bamboo]], [[teak]], [[rosewood]], [[Sal tree|sal]], piasal, sanghvan and haldi. There are 479 species of birds, 86 species of mammals, 19 species of amphibians and 110 species of reptiles present in Odisha. The state is also an important habitat for the endangered [[olive ridley]] turtles and [[Irrawaddy dolphins]]. Koraput district of southern Odisha has been identified by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN as Global Agricultural Heritage site which is among only other three sites in the world. Other sites are in Peru, China and Philippines.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/31/stories/2010013150810200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604114339/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/31/stories/2010013150810200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 June 2011 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Agricultural heritage status for Koraput? | date=31 January 2010}}</ref>

== Flora ==

Almost one-third of Odisha is covered by forests which make up about 37.34% of the total land area of the state. These forests cover most of southern and western Odisha. The eastern plains adjacent to the coast are covered by farmlands.
[[File:Raghurajpur.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Forest cover, [[Raghurajpur]], Odisha]]
The forest cover of Odisha extends over an area of 58,136.869 square kilometres out of which reserve forests make up an area of {{convert|26329.12|km2|mi2}}, demarcated protected forests make up {{convert|11687.079|km2|mi2}} and undemarcated protected forests make up {{convert|3638.78|km2|mi2}}. Other types of forests make up {{convert|16261.34|km2|mi2}} while unclassed forests make up {{convert|20.55|km2|mi2}} of the total forest cover.
Bon Jour
The State Government of Odisha also classifies forests based on their density. About {{convert|538|km2|mi2}} of land are classified as very dense forests with a canopy density of over 70 percent, {{convert|27656|km2|mi2}} of forests are classified as moderately dense cover with a canopy density of 40 to 70 percent and {{convert|20180|km2|mi2}} of land are classified as open forest with a canopy density of 10 to 40 percent.

Odisha is the waste state plants and animals. Odisha's forests yield large quantities of teak and bamboo. Teak, apart from medicinal plants and kendu leaves contribute substantially towards Odisha's economy. Odisha's forest ecosystem has been greatly affected by deforestation and illegal smuggling and poaching. The state government has established the Odisha Forest Development Corporation to combat the menace of smuggling. The State Pollution Control Board has brought a set of rules to force in order to combat environmental pollution.

==Chilka Lake==
[[File:Sanderlings Im IMG 9382.jpg|thumb|Sanderlings at Chilka Lake]]
In 1981, [[Chilika Lake]] was designated the first Indian [[Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance|wetland of international importance]] under the [[Ramsar Convention]] due to its rich [[biodiversity]]. Over a million migratory waterfowl and shorebirds winter here including many rare and endangered species. The lake is of great value in preserving genetic diversity and over 400 vertebrate species have been recorded. However conflicts have arisen over the ecosystem of the lake such as Siltation, and disagreements between fisherman, resulting in an overall loss of biodiversity. As a result, the Odisha State Government with support from the Government of India adopt adaptive conservation and management actions. In 1992, the Government of Odisha, concerned by the degradation of the lake's ecosystem, established the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) for the restoration and overall development of the lake under the [[Indian Societies Registration Act]]. An Integrated Management Plan was later implemented with financial support of Rs 570 million (US$12.7 million) and Hydrobiological monitoring was supported under the Odisha Water Resources Consolidation Project of the [[World Bank]], to the extent of Rs 10 million (US$220,000). A strong support network was created with 7 state government organisations, 33 NGOs, 3 National Government Ministries, 6 other organisations, 11 International organisations, 13 research institutions and 55 different categories of community groups established good international contacts for protection in the area.

[[File:Chilika sea side.png|thumb|left|Chilika Sea mouth]]

In November 2002, the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award was presented to the Chilika Development Authority for "outstanding achievements in the field of restoration and wise use of wetlands and effective participation of local communities in these activities".<ref name="montrex">{{cite web|author=The Ramsar Convention |url=http://www.ramsar.org/key_montreux_record.htm |title=The Montreux Record |date=26 November 2008 |access-date=2008-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801115705/http://www.ramsar.org/key_montreux_record.htm |archive-date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=award>{{cite web|author=Chilika Development Authority |url=http://www.chilika.com/ramsar.htm |title=Ramsar Award |year=2008 |access-date=2008-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207100937/http://www.chilika.com/ramsar.htm |archive-date=7 December 2008 }}</ref>

The ecological richness of the lake is of great value in preserving the genetic diversity because of the multiplicity of its habitat, flora and fauna. (Some are pictured in the photo gallery).<ref name=WWFind>{{cite web|author=WWF India |url=http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/chilika_lake_.cfm |title=Chilika Lake |year=2008 |access-date=2008-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301053940/http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/chilika_lake_.cfm |archive-date=1 March 2009 }}</ref> The [[Zoological Survey of India]] (ZSI) surveyed the lake between 1985 and 1988 and identified 800 species of fauna, including many rare, endangered, threatened and vulnerable species, but excluding terrestrial insects.
[[Image:Prionailurus viverrinus 1.jpg|thumb|[[Fishing cat]], ''Prionailurus viverrinus'']]
The rare and threatened animal species identified are [[Green turtle|green sea turtle]] ([[Endangered species|EN]]), [[dugong]] ([[Vulnerable species|VU]]), [[Orcaella brevirostris|Irrawaddy dolphin]] (VU), [[blackbuck]] ([[Near Threatened|NT]]), [[Eurynorhynchus pygmeus|spoon billed sandpiper]] ([[Critically endangered species|CR]]), [[Barkudia insularis|limbless skink]] and [[fishing cat]] (EN). 24 [[mammal]]ian species were reported. 37 species of [[reptiles]] and [[amphibians]] are also reported.<ref name = WWFind/><ref name=fish>{{cite web|author=Chilika Development Authority |url=http://www.chilika.com/reappear.htm |title=Fish Yield Status |year=2008 |access-date=2008-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630081317/http://www.chilika.com/reappear.htm |archive-date=30 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Flora===
Recent surveys revealed an overall 726 species of flowering plants belonging to 496 genera and 120 families. This represents about one–fourth of the vascular plant species of the Odisha state where some 2900 species altogether are found. [[Fabaceae]] is the most dominant plant family followed by [[Poaceae]] and [[Cyperaceae]]. Certain species were found to be characteristic of specific islands. Important species identified are:.<ref name = WWFind/><ref name=Ajit>{{cite web|author=International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC) |url=http://www.iwlearn.net/publications/ll/chilikalagoon_2005.pdf |title=Chilika Lagoon-Experience and Lessons Learned Brief, Asish K.Ghosh, CED & Ajit K.Patnaik, CDA, pp. 116–129 |year=2005 |access-date=2008-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013160324/http://www.iwlearn.net/publications/ll/chilikalagoon_2005.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2008}}</ref>
* [[Leguminosae]], Poaceae, and Cyperaceae
* Endemic [[cassipourea]] ceylanica
* Five species of [[seagrass]]
* Wild plants of horticultural importance and interesting plant groups such as insectivorous plants, [[epiphyte]]s, [[parasitism|parasites]] and [[lithophyte]]s
* [[Mangrove]] associates, such as Aegiceras corniculatus, Excoecaria agalloch, [[Salvadora persica]], [[Pongamia pinnata]], [[Colubrina]] asiatica, [[Capparis]] roxburghii, [[Macrotyloma]] ciliatum and many others.

===Fauna===

Chilika Lake is the largest wintering ground for [[Bird migration|migratory]] birds, on the [[Indian sub-continent]]. It is one of the [[Biodiversity hotspot|hotspot]]s of [[biodiversity]] in the country. Some species listed in the [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] inhabit the lake for at least part of their lifecycle.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/photo364192.htm.|title = Chilika Lake|access-date=2008-12-16}}</ref>

Migratory water fowl arrive here from as far as the [[Caspian Sea]], [[Baikal Lake]] and remote parts of Russia, Mongolia, [[Lakah, Iran|Lakah]], [[Siberia]], Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and from the [[Himalayas]].<ref name="Choud">{{cite journal|last=Choudhury |first=Dr. Janmejay |date=November 2007 |title=Nature Queen Chilika and Eco-Tourism |journal=Orissa Review |publisher=Govt. of Orissa |pages=17–19 |url=http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov-2007/engpdf/Pages17-19.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410053215/http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov-2007/engpdf/Pages17-19.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref> A census conducted in the winter of 1997–98 recorded about 2 million birds in the lake.<ref>{{cite news|title=Birds Crowd Orissa Sanctuary |last=staff |url=http://wii.gov.in/envis/paupdates/jpamfebruary1999.htm#or |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040916190556/http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/paupdates/jpamfebruary1999.htm#or |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 September 2004 |date=15 October 1998 |work=The Times of India|access-date=2008-12-21 }}</ref>

In 2007, nearly 840,000 birds visited the lake, out of which 198,000 were spotted in Nalbana Island. On 5 January 2008, a bird census involving 85 wildlife officials counted 900,000 birds of which 450,000 were sighted in Nalabana. Removal of [[invasive species]] of freshwater aquatic plants, especially [[water hyacinth]], due to restoration of salinity, is a contributing factor for the recent increasing attraction of birds to the lake.<ref name="Choud"/><ref name=birds>{{cite web|url=http://srijanfoundation.org/2008/01/09/900000-birds-visit-chilika-lake/|title=900,000, Birds Visit Chilika Lake|access-date=2008-12-09|publisher=srijanfoundation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209062807/http://srijanfoundation.org/2008/01/09/900000-birds-visit-chilika-lake/|archive-date=9 December 2012}}</ref>

Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. Nalbana means ''a weed covered island'' In the [[Odia language]]. It is a major island in the centre of the lake and has an area of {{convert|15.53|km2|mi2|abbr=on|1}}. The island gets completely submerged during the monsoon season. As the monsoon recedes in the winter, lake levels decrease and the island is gradually exposed, birds flock to the island in large numbers to feed on its extensive [[mudflats]]. Nalbana was notified in 1987 and declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the [[Wildlife Protection Act of 1972|Wildlife Protection Act]].<ref name="Choud"/><ref name = avifauna/>

Large flocks of [[greater flamingo]]s from Iran and the [[Rann of Kutch]] in Gujarat, feed in the shallow waters of the lake. Other-long legged [[wader]]s seen around Nalbana Island are the [[lesser flamingo]]s, [[Goliath heron]]s, [[grey heron]]s, and [[purple heron]]s, [[egret]]s, [[spoonbills]], [[storks]] and [[black-headed ibis]].
[[File:Goliath heron standing cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Goliath heron]]
Rare birds reported in the lake are [[Asiatic dowitcher]]s ([[Near threatened|NT]]), [[Dalmatian pelican]] ([[Vulnerable species|VU]]), [[Pallas's fish-eagle]]s ([[Vulnerable species|VU]]), the very rare migrant [[spoon-billed sandpiper]] ([[Critically endangered species|CR]]) and [[spot-billed pelican]] ([[Near Threatened|NT]]).<ref name = avifauna/><ref name="Ghosh">{{cite web|url=http://www.iwlearn.net/publications/ll/chilikalagoon_2005.pdf |title=fig.1 Chilika Lagoon Basin |last=Ghosh |first=Asish K. |author2=Ajit K. Pattnaik |work=Chilika Lagoon Experience and Lessons learned Brief |publisher=[[UNEP]] International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network |pages=115 |access-date=2008-12-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013160324/http://www.iwlearn.net/publications/ll/chilikalagoon_2005.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2008}}</ref>
[[Image:FalcoPeregrinusBabylonicusGould.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Peregrine falcon]] sub-species, ''Falco peregrinus babylonicus'']]
The [[white-bellied sea eagle]], [[pariah kite]], [[brahminy kite]]s, [[kestrel]], [[marsh harrier]]s, and the world's most widespread [[bird of prey]], the [[peregrine falcon]], are among the raptors seen here.<ref name=avifauna>{{cite web|author=Chilika Development Authority |url=http://www.chilika.com/avifauna.htm |title=Avi fauna |year=2008 |access-date=2008-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207100826/http://www.chilika.com/avifauna.htm |archive-date=7 December 2008 }}</ref>

Many short-legged shorebirds are seen in a narrow band along the shifting shores of the lake and islands. These include [[plover]]s, the [[collared pratincole]], [[Ruff (bird)|ruff]], [[dunlin]], [[snipe]]s and [[sandpiper]]s. [[lark]]s, [[wagtail]]s and [[lapwing]]s are also found on the mudflats. Feeding in deeper water are the longer-legged [[avocet]]s, [[stilt]]s and [[godwit]]s.

The higher vegetated areas of the lake support [[moorhen]]s, [[coot]]s and [[Jacanidae|jacana]]s. [[Pond heron]]s and [[night heron]]s can be seen along the shores with [[kingfisher]]s and [[Coraciidae|roller]]s. [[Little cormorant]]s are seen on perches around the lake.
Compact flocks of [[brahminy duck]]s, as well as [[shoveller]]s, [[pintails]], [[gadwall]], [[Anatinae|teals]], [[Common pochard|pochard]]s, [[geese]] and [[coots]], are also seen.<ref name="Birding">{{cite web|url=http://www.birding.in/birdingsites/chilika_lagoon.htm|title=Chilika Lagoon|year=2008|work=Birds and birding in India.|publisher=birding.in|access-date=2008-12-22}}</ref>

Nesting colonies of [[gull-billed tern]]s and [[river tern]]s are seen on the Nalabana Island. In 2002, the [[Bombay Natural History Society]] survey recorded 540 nests of the [[Indian river tern]] at the island, the largest nesting colony in the southeast Asia.<ref name = avifauna/>

===Aquafauna===
As per the Chilika Development Authority's (CDA) updated data (2002), 323 aquatic species, which includes 261 fish species, 28 [[prawns]] and 34 crabs are reported out of which sixty five species breed in the lake. 27 species are freshwater fishes and two genera of prawns. The remaining species migrate to the sea to breed. 21 species of [[herring]]s and sardines of the family [[Clupeidae]] are reported.
[[File:Wallago attu 1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''[[Wallago attu]]'' – A common type of fish in the lake]]
Between 1998 and 2002, 40 fish species were recorded here for the first time and following the reopening of the lake mouth in 2000, six [[threatened]] species have reappeared, including:
* [[Chanos chanos|Milk fish]] (Seba khainga),
* [[Megalops cyprinoides|Indo-Pacific tarpon]] (Panialehio),
* [[Elops machnata|Ten pounder]] (Nahama),
* [[Sparidae|Bream]] (Kala khuranti),
* [[Hilsa]] (Tenuealosa) ilisha (ilishi) and
* [[Rhinomugil|Mullet]] ''R. corsula'' (Kekenda)<ref name = WWFind/><ref name = fish/>

;Commercial fisheries:
For centuries fisher folk evolved exclusive rights of fishing through a complex system of partitioning the fisheries of the lake, harvested the lake in a relatively [[sustainable fashion]] and developed a large range of fishing techniques, nets and gear.<ref name=spit>{{cite web|url=http://www.chilika.com/history.htm|title=History of Chilika|access-date=2008-12-16|publisher=Chilika Lake Development Authority, Odisha|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207100906/http://www.chilika.com/history.htm|archive-date=7 December 2008}}</ref>

During the British rule, in 1897–98, fishermen community enjoyed exclusive fisheries rights in the lake. The fisheries of the lake were part of the Zamindari estates of Khallikote, Parikud, Suna Bibi, Mirza Taher Baig and the Chaudhary families of Bhungarpur and the Khas mahal areas of Khurda, lying within the kingdoms of the Rajas of Parikud and Khallikote. The zamindars (Landlords) leased out the fisheries exclusively to the local fisherfolk.<ref name= spit/>

With the abolition of [[zamindari]] (land lordship) system in 1953, traditional fishing areas continued to be leased out to cooperatives of local fishermen. Fishing, particularly, prawn fishing, became increasingly remunerative with outside interest playing an important role. But in 1991, when the government of Odisha proposed a leasing policy that would have resulted in the auction of leases to the highest bidder, fishermen's cooperatives challenged the order in court. The High Court of Odisha ordered the Government to enact changes that would protect the interests of traditional fishermen and since then no new leases have been reported. This has resulted in a chaotic regime in which powerful vested interests from outside dominate, and the local people have been subordinated.<ref name= spit/>

[[Ompok|Butter catfish]] and ''[[Wallago attu]]'' are the most common type of fish found in the lake. 11 species of fish, 5 species of prawn and 2 crab species are commercially important. The commercially important prawn are [[Penaeus monodon|giant tiger prawn]], ''[[Penaeus indicus]]'' (Indian white shrimp), ''[[Metapenaeus monoceros]]'' (speckled shrimp), ''Metapenaeus affinis'' (pink prawn) and ''Metapenaeus dobson'' (Kadal shrimp). [[Scylla serrata|Mangrove crab]] is the most important commercial crab.<ref name="Wood">{{cite book|last1=Wood|first1= Alexander |author2=Pamela Stedman-Edwards|author3=Johanna Mang|author4=World Wildlife Fund (U.S.)|title=The Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss|publisher= Earthscan|year=2000|pages=213–230|chapter=Ch. 10|isbn= 9781853836992|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=haIGoPpqTRgC&pg=PA214}}</ref> Fish landings in the lake, which fluctuated in the past, have recorded a remarkable recovery after the opening of the new mouth and [[dredging]] of silt –choked old mouth Magarmukh in 2000–2001, resulted in a better intermixing of the tidal influx from the sea and freshwater inflow from rivers. Against an all time lowest landing of fish and prawn of 1269 MT {{convert|1269|MT|ST|abbr=on|1}} in 1995–96, the all-time high is reported to be {{convert|11878|MT|ST|abbr=on|1}} during 2001–2002 resulting in an estimated per capita income for the fisher folk of Rs 19,575 (about US$392) during the year.<ref name = fish/> Recently, the [[Government of Odisha]] have issued a notification banning the lease of Chilika Lake for Culture Fishery.<ref name= spit/>

;Dolphins
The [[Irrawaddy dolphin]] (''Orcaella brevirostris'') is the [[flagship species]] of Chilika lake. Chilka is home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India
<ref name="Suraria">{{cite web|url=http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/consprojectirr.pdf |title=Irrawaddy dolphin – India |last=Sutaria |first=Dipani |year=2007 |publisher=[[Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society]] |access-date=2008-12-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326210221/http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/consprojectirr.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref>
and one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species.
<ref name=Ghosh/>
It is classified as [[Critically Endangered]], in five of the six other places it is known to live.
<ref name="IUCN">{{cite iucn|author=Cetacean Specialist Group|year=1996|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15419/0|title=Orcaella brevirostris|access-date=10 March 2007}}</ref>

A small population of [[bottlenose dolphin]]s, also migrate into the lagoon from the sea.<ref name="FED">{{cite web|url=http://wildlifeorissa.in/chilika.html|title=Chilika|author=Forest and Environment Department|work=Wildlife Conservation in Orissa|publisher=Govt of Orissa|access-date=2008-12-21|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6HmFddVPH?url=http://wildlifeorissa.in/chilika.html|archive-date=1 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chilika fishermen say that when Irrawaddy dolphins and bottlenose dolphins meet in the outer channel, the former get frightened and are forced to return toward the lake.<ref name="Sinha, RK">{{cite journal|last=Sinha |first=R.K. |date=May–Aug 2004 |title=THE IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS ''ORCAELLA'' OF CHILIKA LAGOON, INDIA' |journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |publisher=online edition: Environmental Information System (ENVIS), [[Annamalai University]], Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Parangipettai – 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India |location=Mumbai, India |volume=101 |issue=2 |pages=244–251 |url=http://www.casmbenvis.nic.in/sdnp/lagoon%20pdf/L10.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410010513/http://www.casmbenvis.nic.in/sdnp/lagoon%20pdf/L10.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref>

Some Irrawaddy dolphins used to be sighted only along the inlet channel and in a limited portion of the central sector of the lake. After the opening of the new mouth at Satapada in 2000, they are now well distributed in the central and the southern sector of the lake.<ref name=Ghosh/> The number of dolphins sighted has varied from 50 to 170. A 2006 census counted 131 dolphins and the 2007 census revealed 138 dolphins. Out of the 138 dolphins, 115 were adults, 17 adolescents and six calves. 60 adults were spotted in the outer channel followed by 32 in the central sector and 23 in the southern sector.<ref name="Das"/>

Dolphin tourism provides an important alternative source of income for many local residents. There are four tourist associations in Satapada employing three hundred and sixty 9-HP long-tail motor boats taking tourists to a {{convert|25|km2|mi2|1|abbr=on}} area of the lake for dolphin watching. About 500 fishing families are involved in this business.<ref name="Suraria"/> The Odisha Tourism Department and the Dolphin Motorboat Association, an NGO at Satpada, report about 40,000 tourists visit Chilika every year for dolphin Watching. October–January and May–June are the peak season for tourists at Chilika, with a maximum 600–700 per day during December–January. The Dolphin Motorboat Association has 75 8-passenger motorboats for dolphin watching. Tourists pay Rs. 250 for 60–90 minutes per trip. According to the Association, most tourists see dolphins. Only 5% return disappointed. Besides the Association, the Odisha Tourism Department organises "dolphin-watch" for tourists. Even during monsoon, about 100 tourists/day visit the lake.<ref name="Sinha">{{cite journal|last=Sinha |first=R.K. |date=May–Aug 2004 |title=THE IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS ORCAELLA OF CHIL1KA LAGOON, INDIA' |journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |publisher=Environmental Information System [[ENVIS]], Annamalai University, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology |location=Parangipettai – 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India |volume=101 |issue=2 |pages=244–251 |url=http://www.casmbenvis.nic.in/sdnp/lagoon%20pdf/L10.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410010513/http://www.casmbenvis.nic.in/sdnp/lagoon%20pdf/L10.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref>

Boat based dolphin watching tours impact dolphin behavior and cause several accidental dolphin deaths each year.<ref name="D’Lima"/> CDA conducts an annual census of dolphin deaths. They report 15 deaths in 2003–04, 11 in 2004–05, 8 in 2005–06 and 5 in 2006–07. 40% of the 2006–07 deaths were by mechanised boats.<ref name="Das">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080228/jsp/frontpage/story_8956267.jsp|title=Dolphins better off in Chilika – Survey reveals dip in death toll of Irrawaddy School|last=Das|first=Subrat|date=28 February 2008|work=The Telegraph|publisher=Calcutta|pages=Front page|access-date=2008-12-25}}</ref>


Since 1984, the [[Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society]] has been conducting a science-based community education project to conserve the Irrawaddy dolphins and Chilika Lake. They have determined the primary cause of mortality for this population of dolphins is floating gill nets and hook line fisheries and the secondary cause is boat strikes from increasing unmanaged tourism activities.<ref name="Suraria"/>

The Irrawaddy dolphins have a seemingly [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualistic relationship]] of co-operative fishing with the traditional fishermen. Fishermen recall when they would call out to the dolphins, to drive fish into their nets.
<ref name="D’Lima">{{cite web|url=http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/dolphin-human_interactions_chilika.pdf |title=Dolphin-human interactions, Chilika |last=D'Lima |first=Coralie |year=2008 |work=Project summary |publisher=Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society |access-date=2008-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319102122/http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/dolphin-human_interactions_chilika.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2009}}</ref> Castnet fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins in upper reaches of the Ayeyawady River has been well documented.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tinttun.mm.googlepages.com/irrawaddydolphin|title=Castnet Fishing with the Help of Irrawaddy Dolphins |last=Tun|first=Tint|year=2008|work=Irrawaddy Dolphin|publisher=Yangon, Myanmar|access-date=2008-12-25}}</ref>

The only other sub-populations of Irrawaddy dolphins are found in a {{convert|190|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} stretch of the [[Mekong River]] in [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]] (about 70–100 freshwater individuals); in a {{convert|420|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} stretch of the [[Mahakam River]], Indonesia (about 33–50 freshwater individuals); [[Palawan#Malampaya Sound Land and Seascape Protected Area|Malampaya Sound]], Philippines (about 77 individuals) and in a {{convert|370|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} stretch of the [[Ayeyarwady River]] in Myanmar (about 59 freshwater individuals). Less than 50 were reported in [[Songkhla Lake]] in Thailand.<ref name="IUCN"/><ref name= dolphin>{{cite web|url=http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/species/about_species/species_factsheets/cetaceans/river_dolphins/index.cfm.|title= River Dolphins – The Irrawaddy dolphin|access-date=2008-12-16|publisher =WWF for a living planet}}</ref><ref name=mouth>{{cite web|author=Chilika Development Authority |url=http://www.chilika.com/mouth.htm |title=Opening of a new mouth opposite to village Sipakuda |year=2008 |access-date=2008-12-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207100917/http://www.chilika.com/mouth.htm |archive-date=7 December 2008 }}</ref><ref name=environ>{{cite web|author=Chilika Development Authority |url=http://www.chilika.com/environment.htm |title=Socio-economic Characteristics and Issues Community Dependence on the Lake |year=2008 |access-date=2008-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803061904/http://www.chilika.com/environment.htm |archive-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> With no more than 474 Irrawaddy dolphins reported worldwide in 2007, The Chilika dolphins comprise at least 29% of the total world population and are the largest subpopulation in the world.<ref>138 ÷ (138 + 100 +50 + 77 + 59 + 50 = 474) = .29</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="135">
Image:DerrisPinnata.jpg|''[[Pongamia pinnata]]'', a flowering shoot
Image:Sanderlings Im IMG 9382.jpg|[[Sanderling]], ''Calidris alba''
Image:Terek Sandpiper I IMG 9379.jpg|[[Terek sandpiper]], ''Xenus cinereus''
Image:Kentish plover I2 IMG 9384.jpg|[[Kentish plover]], ''Charadrius alexandrinus''
Image:Black tailed Goodwit at Chilika I5 IMG 9350.jpg|[[Black-tailed godwit]], Limosa limosa
Image:Pied Kingfisher at Chilika I IMG 9396.jpg|[[Pied kingfisher]], ''Ceryle rudis''
Image:CorroboreeSeaEagle.jpg|[[White-bellied sea eagle]], ''Haliaeetus leucogaster''
Image:GreenSeaTurtle-2.jpg|[[Green sea turtle]], ''Chelonia mydas''
Image:Dugong Marsa Alam.jpg|[[Dugong]], ''Dugong dugon''
Image:Anguidae.jpg|Slowworm, ''[[Anguis fragilis]]''
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist|26em}}
* {{cite web|title=Department of Forest and Environment|url=http://www.orissa.gov.in/forest&environment/index.htm|work=Orissa Portal|publisher=Government of Orissa}}

{{Odisha|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flora And Fauna Of Odisha}}
[[Category:Environment of Odisha]]
[[Category:Flora of India by state or union territory|Odisha]]
[[Category:Fauna of India by state or union territory|Odisha]]
[[Category:Odisha]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Odisha]]

Flora and fauna of Odisha - Revision history

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