The Chilika Lagoon is 64 km in length, is the largest lagoon in India and one of the largest in the world. ; its width varies between 18 km and 5 km. It has many islands, some of which are uninhabited.. The Nalabana island is part of the Chilika Lake, India’s largest brackish water lagoon. The Nalabana island is part of the Chilika Lake, India’s largest brackish water lagoon & core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. It was declared a bird sanctuary in 1972. The heart of the park is an excellent birding zone with thousands large flocks of migratory birds that make their way to the lagoon every year during winter with over 181 varieties of birds here. The island disappears during monsoon season due to inundation only to emerge again in post-monsoon.

Migratory water fowl arrive here from as far as the Caspian Sea, Baikal Lake and remote parts of Russia, Mongolia, Lakah, Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and from the Himalayas

This varying water spread is affected by the flow from two major rivers, Daya and Bhargavi, and many small rivulets. When the monsoon retreats, saline water from the Bay of Bengal fills up the lake. The interplay between fresh water—draining into the shallow lake from rivers to the north and west—and salty tidal water—encroaching from the Bay of Bengal to the south—gives Chilika’s waters a brakish quality, with salinity varying significantly throughout the lake. These variations open up a range of ecological niches and promote a rich diversity of species.The lagoon is home to 230 species of resident and migratory birds. It also hosts the endangered Irrawady dolphin and the Barkudia limbless skink.

Best Time : Oct- February

Wildlife :
The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is the flagship species of Chilika lake. Chilika is home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India and one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species. It is classified as Endangered according to International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN).
A small population of Bottlenose dolphins, also migrate into the lagoon from the sea. 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.

Avi Fauna : More than 230 species of birds have been recorded here that include White bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana, flamingos, egrets, grey and purple herons, Indian roller, storks, white ibis, spoonbills, brahminy ducks, shovellers, pintails, and more.etc

Shortest Route : Fly to Bhubaneswar and drive to Chilika (111 km)

Nearby : Mangalajodi (50 km)

State : Odisha

Area : 15.5 sq. km

Altitude:

Vegetation : Emergent vegetation & reeds

Major City: Bhubaneshwar (111 km)

Airport : Bhubaneshwar (111 km)

Railway Station : Puri (78 km)