Chilka Lake harbours 135 rare Irrwaddy Dolphins-Census

Bhubaneswar, Feb 22 (UNI) A latest census conducted by the Chilka Development Authority(CDA) has revealed the presence of 135 rare and endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Chilka lagoon.

The line transact survey adopted during the census on February 20 by dividing the Lagoon into 18 zones, has shown that there had been a marginal increase in the number of Dolphins in the lake.

The last census carried out in 2006 reported the presence of 131 Dolphins of which eight casualties were reported during the year reducing their strength to 123 in the lake, considered as natural abode of the Irrawaddy Dolphin.

Talking to newsmen on the census findings, CDA Chief Executive Sudarshan Kumar Panda said the population of the Irrawaddy Dolphins was found in four sectors of the lake--the southern, central and northern sectors and the outer channel.

The distribution of the dolphins suggested large concentration in the 18 km long outer channel of the lake from the Muggermukh to the new mouth where a total 73 Dolphins were sighted, 65 of them adult, 15 sub adult and five calves, Dr Panda said.

Next to the outer channel, the Dolphins' concentration was more visible in southern sector where 32 Dolphins(25 adult, five sub- adults and one calf) were recorded followed by 24(18 adults and 6 sub adults) in Central sector.

Interestingly, for the first time six adult Irrawaddy Dolphins were sighted in the northen sector of the lake indicating the migration of the Dolphins inside the lake.

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