Odisha CM Orders Integrated Plan for Chilika Lake Restoration and Eco-Tourism
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive five-year plan for the restoration and sustainable development of Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a Ramsar site of global importance.
The CM emphasised that Chilika is a “treasure trove of biodiversity,” supporting migratory birds, Irrawaddy dolphins, fisheries, and the livelihoods of thousands of fisherfolk.
He called for urgent measures to revive the lake’s ecological balance, which has been deteriorating due to siltation and lack of dredging since 2000.
Key interventions will include dredging the lake mouth (Muhan), desilting major channels such as Balugaon, Magarmukh, and Palur, and establishing modern fish landing centres.
The plan also envisions long-term infrastructure, scientific studies, and collaboration with IIT Madras to prepare a detailed project report.
Eco-tourism will be a major focus, with proposals for bird festivals, seafood festivals, boat festivals, and interpretation centres to attract visitors while ensuring environmental protection.
The CM stressed that tourism initiatives must remain eco-friendly and generate sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Deputy CM Pravati Parida, Works & Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Forest & Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and other senior officials attended the high-level meeting.
The integrated plan aims to balance conservation, livelihood generation, and tourism growth, positioning Chilika Lake as both a biodiversity hotspot and a global eco-tourism destination.
