Lake Ramsar Wetland
Chilika Lake
चिल्का झील
Asia's largest and the world's second-largest coastal brackish lagoon, spanning Puri, Khordha, and Ganjam districts of Odisha at the mouth of the Daya River. Designated as the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1981.
Total Area1,165 sq km
ClassificationCoastal Brackish Lagoon
Territorial Jurisdiction1 State / UTs
Riparian States, Districts & Connected Cities
States, revenue districts, and municipal cities traversed by or situated in the immediate watershed/basin of Chilika Lake:
States & Union Territories (1)
Ecological Status & National Significance
Strategic Importance
Major wintering ground for over one million migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway; home to the largest population of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in India.
Key Wildlife & Endemic Fauna
Irrawaddy dolphinFlamingoBar-headed gooseFishing cat