File photo of birds in Chilika Lake

Bhubaneswar, March 30: Chilika, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, seems to be falling victim to climatic changes that might dent its reputation as the country’s largest wintering ground of migratory birds.

The number of migratory birds visiting the lake for their winter sojourn this time fell by more than 1,12,000 compared to last year.

“The number of migratory birds counted in Nalabana, the core bird sanctuary in the lake, and other areas of the water body last time was 9,04,622. But this time the number is only 7,91,738,” said an official source.

Birds from different parts of the world, mainly the trans-Asian region, flock to Chilika, a lake formed by the backwaters of the sea, every winter to spend four to five months in its hospitable climes. The species visiting the lake, spread over the districts of Khurda, Puri and Ganjam, include gadwals, pintails and northern shoveller.

However, according to environmentalists, the decline in the numbers this time indicates that climatic changes are taking their toll on the lake making it less conducive to the stay of the avian creatures.

“This reflects on the climatic changes which might also be affecting the food stock of the birds,” said green activist Biswajit Mohanty.

Sources said that during the last one decade, the largest congregation of birds in Chilika was recorded in 2001-01 when the lake was host to 15,13,518 winged visitors. “The fact that the number was never so high again during the past 10 years shows that the lake area has been undergoing some adverse changes that need to studied closely,” said an expert adding that even the number of flamingoes coming to Chilika has been fluctuating.

Birds are not the only species being affected by the changes in Chilika. Sources said though the number of dolphins in the lake has registered a marginal increase, the growth in their population has not been commensurate with the efforts being made in this direction. Besides, 34 dolphins have perished in Chilika during the last five years which should be a matter of concern considering that this man-friendly fish is a slow breeder.

Among the changes that Chilika has seen over the past one decade has been the opening of a new mouth in the lake at Gabakunda village. The opening of the mouth, caused by the play of waves which overtopped the sandbars, had triggered a scare among the local populace when it happened. Fishing activity in the area continues to be hit.