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Environmental conditions of Chilika Lake during pre and post hydrological intervention: an overview

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Abstract

Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, is a prominent biodiversity hotspot along the Indian east coast. The geomorphology, water quality and biological productivity of the lake had undergone significant changes over the years under the influence of natural events and anthropogenic interventions. Decades of research have shown that the ecological changes of the lake system and its fisheries were influenced mainly by the water exchange between the lake and the sea that controls the salinity, siltation, macrophyte infestation and recruitment of marine forms. Depletion of fisheries and loss of biodiversity in 1980s and 1990s have been linked to the northward shifting of lake’s inlet and silting up of the outer channel. In order to improve the health of the lagoon and restoration of its biodiversity, a new mouth was dredged open in September 2000. Opening of the new mouth has resulted in some improvements with substantial increase in capture fishery, reduction in weed infestation, growth of seagrasses, appearance of dolphins and increase in the population of migratory birds. But, many stake holders claim that the problems associated with the lake ecology and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the stake holders still persist which could escalate in future.

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Acknowledgements

We have received timely support from many quarters during the preparation of this review. Our sincere thanks are due to all of them. Biraja Kumar Sahu and Premalata Pati were provided with financial support in the form of fellowship from the Department of Science and Technology. They wish to record their deep sense of gratitude to the Ministry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Sciences, Berhampur University, Berhampur, 760007, Odisha, India

    Biraja Kumar Sahu, Premalata Pati & R. C. Panigrahy

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  1. Biraja Kumar Sahu
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  2. Premalata Pati
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  3. R. C. Panigrahy
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Correspondence to Biraja Kumar Sahu.

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Sahu, B.K., Pati, P. & Panigrahy, R.C. Environmental conditions of Chilika Lake during pre and post hydrological intervention: an overview. J Coast Conserv 18, 285–297 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-014-0318-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-014-0318-z

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