BHUBANESWAR: The demolition of illegal gheries and ‘khonda’ nets from Chilika lagoon has paved way for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins to move to greater parts of the brackish water lagoon which was evident when the cetaceans were sighted in Rambha side of the lake.
The Irrawaddy dolphins are known to inhabit Central and southern sectors of the lagoon but now have been sighted in regions of the lake closer to Rambha. A team of WWF-India sighted the dolphins during a visit to the lake earlier this week.
According to Michael Peters, Senior Programme Coordinator (Marine Conservation) of WWF - India, the Rambha bay area is a good habitat for the dolphins but their movement was earlier blocked by the gheries and nets. Their sighting in the area would also mean that there is more breeding space available for the cetaceans in the main lagoon, he said.
The dolphins have also been sighted in the dredged channels which were earlier blocked by the illegal gheries and nets preventing movement of the Irrawaddies to and from Bay of Bengal.
“These species are known to migrate from the brackish water lagoon to the sea which will be facilitated now that the obstacles are gone,” said Michael.
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) which launched a drive against illegal gheries in the lagoon has been able to clear about 6,000 hectare area so far.
Chief Executive of the CDA Susanta Nanda said, the parts of the lagoon which were under Ganjam and Khurda district jurisdiction have now been cleared. Drive for clearing the Puri side of the lake will start next week.
Since the Irrawaddy dolphins inhabit in deep water, the demolition will provide them better habitats in the lagoon in the days to come, he added. There are about 130 Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika.