Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary

Prominent Birds: Hornbill, junglefowl, painted stork, adjutant stork, open-billed stork, white ibis, black ibis, chital, ibis, crane, cormorant, egret, flamingo and pelican.

Best Season: Since a large number of birds are resident, any time of the year is good for a visit to these sanctuaries.

  Book a bird watching tour

   Go To Top

Chilika Sanctuary
CHILKA LAKE, ORISSA

Area : 1100 sq. km.

Description : The Chilka Sanctuary, spread over 1100 sq km, is situated around the shallow Chilka Lake in Asia's largest wetlands. The largest brackish water lake in Asia, about 670 km long and 15 km across, Chilka is dotted with islands and separated from the sea by only a narrow sand bar. Home to a large variety of resident birds, it also provides a temporary home to migratory birds from as far-off as Siberia. Prominent birds are the peach coloured flamingos, grey-legged geese, Siberian cranes, white bellied sea eagle, purple moorhen, jacana and herons.

Motor launches and row boats are available for those who wish to cruise on the lake. Row boats are a good way to see the birds close up and also to visit the islands, of which Birds Island, Parikud and Malud are of the most interest since one can observe birds in their natural habitat here. Another place of interest is Nalabana, practically a forest of reeds, which harbours a large variety of migratory birds in the winter.

Another fact about Chilka which will interest wildlife enthusiasts is the presence of the famous Chilka dolphins which can be seen at Satapada. The island of Kaliaji is also worth a visit for the temple of the goddess Kaliaji set in scenic surroundings.

Of the greatest interests to ornithologists, Chilka is being threatened by problems created by both the environment and humans, such as siltation and commercial prawn fishing. Efforts are being made to preserve this beautiful sanctuaries and thus the birds that it harbours.

Cruising on Chilka: There are motor launches of OTDC at Barkul and Ramba. The Revenue Department also maintains some boats at Balugaon. Country boats can be arranged at these places and at Satapada as well.

Best season to visit: The best time to visit Chilka is during December to January when the migratory population is highest.

Access : The nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa while the nearest railhead is at Balugaon although it is advisable to disembark at Puri, which has train services from all over the country, and then travel by road to the sanctuary.

  Book a bird watching tour

   Go To Top