IIT Project Helps Increase Dolphin Population In Odisha’s Chilika Lake
Chilika Lagoon in Odisha is over four,000 years previous. (Record)
New Delhi:
A analysis challenge by way of the Indian Institute of Generation (IIT) Madras has helped Odisha’s Chilika lake, Asia’s biggest brackish water frame, in tripling the inhabitants of the Irrawaddy dolphins.
The researchers carried out geotechnical, hydraulic and satellite tv for pc imagery research and evolved a dredging technique with minimal have an effect on at the lake ecosystem.
The method of dredging is composed of the excavation (loosening or dislodging) of the fabric from the ground, elimination of the loosened subject matter to the dredge vessel and in the end transportation of the fabric to the position house.
The intervention by way of the premiere institute additionally benefitted the over 200,000 fishermen dwelling in 132 villages because it led to a seven-fold build up of fish catch and vacationers to co-exist with the lake ecosystem with minimum disturbance to the surroundings, the workforce claims.
“Chilika Lagoon is over four,000 years previous and unfold over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha. The extremely productive ecosystem of the lake helps the livelihood for fishermen and likewise acts as drainage for Mahanadi river basin,” R Sundaravadivelu, Professor at Division of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras mentioned.
“The lake used to be in a degraded situation and integrated within the threatened checklist by way of Ramsar Conference in 1993. This warranted pressing motion for recovery of the lake,” he added.
“The geotechnical, hydraulic and satellite tv for pc imagery research confirmed the spit of Chilika is repeatedly converting. The sand bar has been widening, and the location of the mouth repeatedly moving, shifting most often against the northeast. The mouth used to be described as being about 1.five km large in 1780 and had reduced to part inside 40 years in 1820.”
“It additionally confirmed the Chilika lake mouth situated at the beginning close to Sipakuda in 1800 has progressively shifted within the remaining 200 years against the northern facet to Arkhakuda,” he mentioned.
The IIT Madras workforce evolved the dredging technique figuring out the site of dredging together with disposal and collection of appropriate dredger with minimal have an effect on at the ecosystem.
“According to the result of this a success hydrological intervention, the flood inundation and freshwater weeds are decreased. The hydrological intervention restored the lake ecosystem and ameliorated the biodiversity. The fish manufacturing higher 7-fold and the inhabitants of extremely threatened Irrawaddy dolphin higher,” Sundaravadivelu mentioned.
“The enhancement of fishery sources and the rise of inhabitants of Irrawaddy dolphin promoted ecotourism which immensely benefitted the native fishers,” he added.
Restored at a value of Rs 10 crore by way of opening the mouth and different similar works in six months”, the lake is now off the threatened checklist (Montreux report).
The Chilika Lake Authority has evolved an Ecosystem Well being Document Card and periodical tracking of salinity, fish and dolphin, freshwater weeds, birds and different organic parameters are being performed.
