Cuttack: Wild Orissa (WO), an organisation for conservation of nature and wildlife, is worried over unregulated construction and excavation of fishponds in Chilika as they pose a threat to its ecology.

WO expected the state government to immediately stop all construction of fishponds and excavation activities in Chilika as they were resulting in large-scale loss of biodiversity and habitats for several species.

WO chief spokesperson Kulamani Deo said large-scale construction of fishponds and excavation work is being undertaken near various villages in the lake's northern sector.

"This is cause for serious concern as the northern sector is the largest and also the shallowest area in Chilika with diversified flora and primarily a fresh water zone," Deo said.

Nearly 240 bird species are recorded during peak migratory season. The lagoon hosts about a million migratory waterfowls.

At least, 32 species of water birds that are dependent on wetlands breed in the lake's northern sector.

WO said large-scale construction of fishponds and excavation work in the past in Krushnaprasad and Brahmagiri blocks of Chilka lake in Puri District had led to loss of habitat for birds and other species, including fishing cat and otters.

Recently, there has been construction of fishponds and excavation work at places such as Bhusandpur, Sundarpur and Mangalajodi. Heavy machinery is being used for excavation.

"The serious issue of loss of biodiversity and the threat to the lake's ecology requires urgent attention of the state government," Deo said.

He expected intervention from Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

The state government has been promoting sustainable development of inland, coastal and marine capture and culture fisheries to attain self-sufficiency in fish production for domestic consumption and development of seafood industry.

"But the government is expected to ensure that biodiversity impact assessments is carried out and taken into consideration while constructing fishponds and carrying out excavations in Chilka lake," Deo said.