describe about coastal system of odisha

2. The scientific study of the processes influencing
the distribution and abundance of organisms, the
interactions among organisms, and the
interactions between organisms and the
transformation and flux of energy and matter.

9. • A state level Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Chief
Secretary for Conservation and Management of Mangroves and
Coral reefs in Odisha has been constituted vide Forest and
Environment Department Resolution No. 1022/F & E/ dated
12.1.2000.
• Mangroves of Bramhani -Baitarani delta in Kendrapada district
have been declared as: (a) Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in
April 1975 covering an area of 672 Sq.km; (b) the core area of the
sanctuary has been declared as Bhitarkanika National Park in
September, 1998 covering an area of 145 Sq.km.
• Bordering the Bhitarkanika sanctuary/National Park, an area of
1435 Sq. km. (out of which 1408 Sq.km. is sea to a width of 20kms.
form the coast) has been declared as Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife
sanctuary in September, 1997. It covers two Reserve Forest Blocks
of Mahanadi delta mangroves comprising 27 Sq.km.

10. • Creation of a Wildlife Division at Chandbali in 1980 which was
later renamed as Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), Rajnagar,
with jurisdiction over the entire coastal mangrove forests of
Bhadrakh, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur district. With affect
from 1.10.2003, the mangrove forest of Kendrapada and
Jagatsinghpur Districts have been constituted into Rajnagar
Wildlife Division, while the mangrove areas of Bhadrakh and
Puri Districts are now part of Bhadrakh and Puri.
• Bhitarkanika Sanctuary area has been designated as a
'RAMSAR SITE' (i.e., Wetland of International importance)
during the 8th meeting of the contracting parties held at Valencia
from 18-26th November 2002. In Odisha this is the 2nd wetland of
International importance under Ramsar Convention and is one of
the 19 such sites in the country.
• Mangroves of Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi delta have been
considered as a single ecological unit and have been proposed to
be designated as a Biosphere Reserve.

11. BHITARKANIKA
CHILIKA
GAHIRMATHA

15. .

16. • This ecosystem harbours the largest
number of saltwater crocodile
population in the Indian sub-
continent. Other reptilian fauna
include Monitor lizard, Indian
python, King cobra and varieties of
other snake species. It also
harbours a number of endangered
animals like Fishing cat, Leopard
cat, Dolphins and Porpoises.
• Bhitarkanika's famous Gahirmatha
coast finds a prominent place in the
turtle map of the world because of
the distinction of having one of
world's largest nesting and
breeding congregation of Olive
Ridley Sea turtles.

17. The area supports rich biodiversity including mangroves and
mangrove associates (71 species), largest population of estuarine
crocodiles (1358 as per 2004 census), the rare white crocodile
(Sankhua), largest Indian lizards (water monitor), poisonous
and non-poisonous snakes like king cobra and python, varieties
of resident and migratory birds (217 species) and number of
mammalian species (spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, fishing
cat, jungle cat, otter etc.) In comparison to the national status,
the composition of vertebrate fauna / species of Bhitarkanika
project area represents 8% mammals, 17.70% birds, 9.40%
reptiles and 2.5 % amphibians. The Gahirmatha sea beach,
bordering the sanctuary attracts hundreds and thousands of
Olive ridley sea turtles for mass nesting / egg laying (World's
largest rookery) during the winter months (January to April).

18. Mangrove areas support a range of interconnected food webs,
which directly sustain the fisheries. Algae and detritus sustain
shrimps and prawns, which provide a food source for species such
as Bhekti (Lates sp.) Cat fishes etc. Fish and prawns spend most
of their adult life at sea and return to the mangrove areas and vice
versa to spawn. Some of the commercially important fishes are
Ilisha, (Hilisa illisha), Khainga (Mullet sp.), Bhekti (Lates
calcarifer), Kantia (Mustus gulia), Kokill (Anchovella sp.) etc.
Prawns such as Penaeus indicus, tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon),
Metapenaeus affinis and crabs, mainly the mud crabs (Scylla
serrata) are exploited in large numbers by the fishermen both in
the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Mud skippers, a typical
fish reside around and in mangroves. These fishes are able to
survive short periods of aerial exposure, skip around on the water
and mud and build chimney like burrows.

19. SOME TREES

21. ● There are 908 fishing vessels (153
gillnetters, 345 motorized boats and
410 country craft).
● Total marine fishing community
population in
Kendrapara: 45,751 (Official
estimates). Besides this,there are over
10,000 fishers in the allied sector.
● According to official estimates, about
27,000 active fishers all over Orissa are
affected by the turtle ban, 43%of whom
are below the poverty line. Actual
numbers likely to be higher. Maximum
numbers affected are from
Kendarapara District.
● Kendarapara District does not have
other options for livelihoods, as it
depends on single crop agriculture

22. The water spread of the lagoon varies between 1165 Sq.km in
monsoon to 906 Sq.km during summer, and extends over Puri,
Khurda and Ganjam districts. The lagoon itself can be broadly
divided in to four natural sectors based on salinity and depth: the
southern zone, central zone, northern zone, and the outer channel.
Numerous islands are present in the lagoon, prominent among
which are Kalijai, Honeymoon, Barakuda, Breakfast, Birds
Island, etc
One of the submerged (potential) islands covering, an area of 15.53
Sq.km has been notified as Chilika (Nalaban) Wildlife Sanctuary
on 17th December l987. The whole area of the Chilika Lake,
excluding the area notified as Sanctuary has been declared as a
'Closed Area' for a period of five years with effect from 16th
December 2002.

24. Several islands are situated in this lagoon, inhabited by large human
population (1.3 lakh approx.) variously dependent on this wetland for
sustenance. A number of villages and towns around the lagoon are
closely associated with the wetland, in one way or the other for
economic activities. About 70% of this population depends on fishing
as the means of livelihood
DRAINAGE
The ecosystem features of Chilika comprising of tidal ingress from
the sea, which mixes with the fresh water brought by rivers like
Daya, Bhargabi, Luna, and large number of rivulets.
HABITATION

25. DRAINAGE MAP OF CHILIKA

26. BIODIVERSITY
The Chilika Lagoon is hot spot of rich Biodiversity.
FLORA
There are 546 species of angiospermic plants belonging to 379
genera and 107 families, above 100 phytoplankton genera, 20 species
of weed and 7 pteridophytic species documented so far in the Lagoon
and the islands.
FAUNA
Chilika is very rich in both invertebrate and vertebrate fauna. This
Ramsar site is the habitat for the largest congregation of waterfowls
in India.

27. AVIFAUNA
Over a million birds congregate in this water body for feeding and
roosting. Migration commences in late September and the birds
remain up to April, but the peak congregation period is mid-
December to middle of January. Birds belonging to over 230 species
including 14 birds of prey (32% aquatic, 22%waders, and 46%
terrestrial birds) are seen in this lake, of which 95 species are
intercontinental and local migrants. Flocks of migratory waterfowl
arrive from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, remote parts of
Russia, central and south East Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas for
feeding and roosting. 15 species of ducks and two species of geese
(Order: Anseriformes), cover over 70% of the migratory birds
which visit this lagoon annually. The ducks and geese are followed
by coots, rails and cranes (Gruiformes) 15%; waders/shore birds
(Charadriformes) 12%; pelicans (Pelecaniformes) 1.5%; grebes
(Podicipediformes) 1%; kites, eagles etc. (Falconiformes) and
kingfishers (Coraciformes) 0.5%.

28. OTHER FAUNA
 The other vertebrate fauna includes:
 321 species of fish and crab (fresh water, estuarine and marine
species),
 7 species of amphibians,
 30 species of reptiles (12 species of lizards and 18 species of
snakes) and
 18 species of mammals.
 Two major crabs species (Scylla serreta and Neptunus pelagicus),
available in Chilika are of commercial importance.
ENDANGERED SPECIES
 Barkudia insularis, a limbless lizard/skink (this skink is named
after the "Barukuda" island of the lake);
 an aquatic mammal i.e., Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris ,
 Fishing cat( Felis viverrina),
 White bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), White spoon bill
(Platalea leucorodia), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and

29. COASTAL LIVELIHOOD

30. Marine fisheries in Orissa is one of the most
important resources, which contributesignificantly
the sustenance of more than 0.5 million-fisherman
populations living in 329fishing villages.
Prawn culture assumed great significance in
late 1980s and early 1990s when brackish
water prawn culture flourished for short-
term economic gain. Along the entire coast of
Odisha.
Tourism is an important sector and has
immense potential for employment
generation and to stimulate growth in the
economy. Orissa has three majorplaces of
tourist attraction. The Sun Templeat Konark,
Puri known for Hindu pilgrimage, the beaches
at Gopalpur.