The recent surge in the number of migratory birds at the Nalabana bird sanctuary in Odisha has brought the sanctuary into limelight. This remarkable growth in avian populace is primarily attributed to the dismantling of unlawful prawn gherries within the lake. Gherries are areas illegally usurped for prawn farming inside the wetland region.
The Prestigious Nalabana Bird Sanctuary
Situated on the Nalabana Island in the Chilika lagoon area in Odisha, the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary forms the crux of Chilika. The sizable Nalabana Island, also known as the Forest of Reeds, spans approximately 16 square kilometers and was recognized as a bird sanctuary in 1987. Intriguingly, the island vanishes during the monsoon due to flooding, only to reappear post-monsoon.
Chilika’s two prominent locations where birds gather are Nalabana and Mangalajodi, situated on the banks of Chilika lake. Migratory birds usually start flocking to Chilika in November, finding it a more hospitable alternate habitat as compared to the extreme freezing conditions in their original habitats in Siberia, China, Japan, and other countries in the northern hemisphere.
Notable Migratory Birds at Nalabana
Among the important migratory birds seen here are Bar-headed geese, greater flamingos, herons, black-tailed godwits and the seldom-seen Great Knot, which was spotted after a gap of five years.
Chilika Lake: A Global Landmark
Chilika Lake holds the distinction of being the largest in Asia and the world’s second-largest lagoon after the New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia.
Profile of the Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris)
As an international migratory bird, the Great Knot traverses vast distances between its breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere and summer feeding grounds in the southern hemisphere. Its distribution covers far northeast Russia, coastal Australia, southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the eastern Arabian Peninsula. The bird is listed as Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This highlights the importance of preserving such crucial habitats like the Nalabana bird sanctuary that provides a refuge to these endangered species.
