Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and India’s first Ramsar Site, is a marvel of biodiversity, supporting over 1,000 species of flora and fauna. This global ecological treasure is home to critically endangered species like the Irrawaddy dolphin and spoon-billed sandpiper. Serving as a natural climate regulator and a lifeline for thousands of fishing communities, Chilika is a cornerstone of India’s ecological and cultural heritage.

However, Chilika is under grave threat. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a 7.8-km connectivity project under the Gopalpur-Satpada Highway (NH-516A), including two bridges spanning 3.55 km and a 75-meter Right of Way (RoW) over this fragile wetland. While the project has received preliminary clearance from the Alignment Approval Committee, it risks violating India’s commitments under the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Chilika’s Wetland functions and Global Importance

1.Global Importance of Chilika

Chilika is not just a local wetland but a globally significant ecological treasure. It acts as a critical water filtration system, flood regulator, and carbon sink, contributing to climate change mitigation. As a designated Ramsar Site, it is a vital link in the international conservation network. Chilika serves as a crucial stopover site for millions of migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, playing a key role in maintaining global bird populations.

Beyond its ecological services, Chilika’s wetland system moderates the local climate by influencing rainfall patterns, maintaining local humidity levels, and regulating regional temperatures. These functions are essential for sustaining biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and preserving ecological balance. Its global importance highlights the urgent need for its protection and sustainable management.

2.Biodiversity Hotspot: Chilika is home to critically endangered species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin, spoon-billed sandpiper, and Pallas’s fish eagle. It provides crucial breeding grounds for migratory birds and aquatic species, including the Olive Ridley turtle.

3.Climate Regulator: As a natural carbon sink, Chilika plays a key role in regulating the local climate by absorbing and storing CO₂. Its destruction will release stored carbon, intensifying the climate crisis.

4.Livelihood Provider: Chilika sustains the livelihoods of thousands of fishing families and supports local economies. Its degradation will threaten the traditional ways of life and economic stability of these communities.

 Major Threats to Chilika

1. Ecological Damage:

The construction project will disrupt Chilika’s biodiversity and ecological balance.

·       Biodiversity Loss: Chilika’s rich biodiversity is under pressure from invasive species, both terrestrial and aquatic, which threaten native flora and fauna.

·       Food Chain Disruption: The disruption of food chains will alter the lake’s ecological functions.

·       Fish Stock Depletion: Overexploitation of fish stocks, illegal trawling, and harmful fishing methods are already growing concerns, putting pressure on Chilika’s fishing communities.

2. Pollution Impacts:

Chilika is increasingly affected by agricultural runoff, siltation, industrial and domestic waste, and tourism-related pollution.

·       Air Pollution: Construction activities and vehicular emissions will degrade air quality.

·       Water Pollution: Runoff from construction materials and existing pollutants threaten aquatic ecosystems and fish breeding grounds.

·       Soil Pollution: Increased land use and contamination will harm endemic plant species essential to the wetland’s balance.

·       Sound Pollution: Noise from construction and traffic will disturb species like dolphins that rely on echolocation.

3. Excess Carbon Emissions:

Wetlands like Chilika are natural carbon sinks. The destruction of vegetation and soil disturbance during construction will release significant amounts of stored carbon, exacerbating climate change and further stressing the lagoon’s ecosystem.

4. Threat to Local Communities:

Thousands of fishing families depend on Chilika’s resources for their livelihoods. Unplanned development could displace communities and disrupt their traditional way of life.

5. Long-lasting Harm:

Large-scale infrastructure in such a delicate ecosystem risks permanent biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and disruption of ecological processes.

Legal and Ethical Context

Environmental Protection Act (1986) and Wetlands Rules (2017): These laws mandate the conservation of wetlands like Chilika, prohibiting activities that cause ecological harm.

Ramsar Convention: As a designated Ramsar Site, India is legally bound to ensure the "wise use" of Chilika, meaning it must be protected and preserved for future generations.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): India’s commitments under the CBD mandate the conservation of biodiversity, including the protection of habitats like Chilika that sustain endangered species.

👉 Our Demands for Action

1. Form an Expert Committee:

Create a specialized committee including local environmentalists, community representatives, and biodiversity experts to ensure an inclusive and comprehensive assessment of the project’s impacts.

2. Prioritize Alternate Routes:

Identify and develop alternative routes that avoid disrupting Chilika’s ecosystem, balancing infrastructure needs with environmental conservation.

3. Conduct a Transparent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):

Carry out an independent EIA to evaluate the risks to biodiversity, pollution levels, and carbon emissions, with active participation from local stakeholders.

4. Enforce Pollution Control Measures:

Implement stringent measures to protect Chilika’s air, water, soil, and sound quality, ensuring the preservation of its ecological balance.

5. Halt Construction Until Compliance:

Suspend all land acquisition and construction activities until Ramsar guidelines, Wetland Rules, and international biodiversity commitments are fully adhered to.

 

Call to Action

Chilika is not just a wetland; it is a lifeline for biodiversity, communities, and the climate. Allowing unplanned development threatens to erase centuries of natural heritage.

The Eco Walk Movement is a united grassroot movement dedicated to combating climate change through awareness, education, advocacy, and community engagement. Anchored by its 3C Impact Model—Connect, Communicate, Collaborate, the campaign focuses on building meaningful relationships, fostering open dialogue, and inspiring collective action for sustainable practices.

We urge organizations, individuals, civil society, environmentalists, journalists, media houses, students, youth, policymakers, and political parties to join the movement to Save Chilika. For the sake of Mother Earth, let us unite to be the voice of the birds, dolphins, and countless other species that call this lagoon home.

 

Sign the petition and participate the signature campaign. We are also planning to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to strengthen our cause and ensure accountability. Please give your valuable opinion...

 

Stand with Chilika – Protect Our Planet's Natural Heritage.

[Share on social media with #SaveChilika] 

Use the hashtag #SaveChilika across social media platforms to amplify the message. 

 

Fill the form given below and sign the petition ---

https://shorturl.at/Ie9Ho

 

Together, we can make a difference.

For any query/information, cont --

Jalendra Mohalik

(Social Activist/Founder EcoWalk Movement,Ph- +91 9338817574)