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Chilika Lake, spreading over an area of 1100 sq. km is the largest brackish water lake in the country and attracts large number of migratory birds besides resident ones. Barkul and Rambha are two places on the lake, which serve as the base. Flora The Lake harbours the "aquatic vegetation" of its own and is typically represented by Algal, a number of Diatoms/Phytoplanktons and a few species of brackish water submerged phanerogams like Potamogeton pectinatus, Halophila ovalis, Ruppia maritima, Naja faveolata, Hydrilla verticellata and Ceratophyllum demersum etc.
The communities of Schoenoplectus littoralis in association with Eleocharis dulce, Phragmites karka, Myrostachya wightii & many other grasses and sedges also exist in shallow muddy areas. Species like Salicornia brachiata, Suaeda maritima, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Phyla nodiflora, Heliotropium curassavicum & some others occur in marshes and salt fields along the edges and other shallow areas.
Fauna There is a wide variety of animal life forms representing various groups of Animal Kingdom ranging from Protozoa, Porifera, Polyzoa, Brachiopoda, Coelenterata, Ctenophora, Isopoda, Echiura, Sipuncula, Chaetognatha, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Crustacea, Arachinida, Insecta, Mollusca to Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mamals.
Around 158 species of fishes and prawns have so far been recorded. Crabs like Scylla serrata & Neptunus pelagicus are the predominent types available here.
The Dolphins have been reported mostly near Satapada-Magarmukha area and occasionally between Kalijai and Balugaon. Other mammals reported from small pockets in the surrounding hills/forests/scattered islands & amidst the vegetation of sandy ridge facing Chilika and Sea include Black bucks (Antilope cervicara), Spotted deer, Fox, Jackal, Hyaena, Jungle Cat, Hare, Rat, Pachyura (an insectivora), Common bat, Otter, Common mongoose, Monkey, Squirrel, Porcupine etc.
General information
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Rainfall |
1160 mms. (Mainly
July to September). |
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Best Season |
Throughout the
year |
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Temperature |
Summer- Max. 37,
Min. 30; Winter- Max. 24, Min. 17 |
How to get there
Air
Nearest airport Bhubaneshwar is 105 km from Barkul & 135 km from Rambha.
Rail
The nearest railheads are at Balugaon (7 km from Barkul) and Rambha on South- Eastern Railways, which are directly connected to Calcutta, Puri, Madras, Hyderabad and Bombay via Secunderabad etc.
Road
Both Barkul & Rambha are situated on the National Highway. Regular bus services apply between Bhubaneshwar and Berhampur with stops enroute at Balugaon for Barkul and Rambha. Barkul to Bhubaneshwar (105 km), Puri (167 km), Cuttack 133 km, Berhampur (78 km), Gopalpur-on-Sea (75 km) and Rambha (30 km)
In and around
Nalbana
Which literally means forest of reeds has been declared a sanctuary since 1973. it is home to Siberian cranes, Flemingoes, Pelicians, Cormorants, Sea'gle etc.
Kalijai
The island named after goddess 'Kalijai'
Satapada
Strategically located in the confluence of Bay of Bengal in the south and the largest brakish water lake of Chilka on the north, it attracts tourists from far and near. The thrilling sight of Dolphins round the year and abundance of migratory and resident birds in winter made Satapada a preferred destination
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