Minister Prithviraj Harichandan chaired a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan to discuss the comprehensive development of Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a globally recognised Ramsar site.
The Minister explained that the mouth of Chilika Lake has silted up, which prevents proper water exchange between the lake and the sea. Consequently, the salinity of the water has declined, disturbing the ecological balance and biodiversity. Moreover, fish populations and marine species have shown significant variations, raising concerns about the lake’s sustainability.
Harichandan instructed officials to begin immediate restoration work. He emphasised the importance of scientific data collection and the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). In addition, he advised the Chilika Development Authority, departmental officers, and IIT Chennai experts to collaborate on the project.
The meeting addressed several priorities: dredging the blocked mouth, maintaining salinity, removing silt to increase water flow capacity, protecting biodiversity, developing surrounding areas, and safeguarding the livelihoods of communities dependent on the lake.
The Minister assured participants that the outcomes of the meeting would be communicated to the Chief Minister soon. Furthermore, he confirmed that the central government would be informed about the proposed action plan.
Senior officials from the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, representatives of the Chilika Development Authority, and experts from IIT Chennai attended the meeting. Notable participants included MP Dr Sambit Patra, Principal Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, Professor Dr Neelanjan Saha, CEO Yogajay Nanda, and DFO Amlan Nayak.
Harichandan reiterated that Chilika Lake development is vital for Odisha’s pride and ecological security. He urged all stakeholders to work collectively to restore the lake’s biodiversity and ensure sustainable growth for future generations.
