Chilika  |  Ansupa  | Hirakud | Mahanadi | Brahmani | Baitarani | Suvarnarekha | Rushikulya | Budhabalanga | Bahuda  Bansdhara | Nagabali | Salandi | Indrabati | Kolab | Dandadhar | Rengali| Sorada Ghai

Chilika Lake

Chilika lake is situated 100km from Bhubaneswar. Chilika is pear shaped & varies between 560 km & 1100 km in the dry & wet seasons. It is connected to the Bay of Bengal by a narrow mouth. This is the largest inland lake in the subcontinent. The lake contains a large number of islands, i.e., Breakfast Island, Honeymoon Island, Nalaban, Parikiud Island, Malud, Chadheguha Island. Some of these islands are inhabited by fishermen. Chilika has been formed due to the silting action of the Mahanadi river, which drains into the northern end of the lake, and the northerly currents in the Bay of Bengal, which have formed a sandbar along the eastern shore leading to the formation of a shallow lagoon.The lake is divided into an outer channel with a narrow neck leading into the sea and the main body of the lake with a muddy bottom rich in organic matter.

Nalaban, one of the biggest islands, is a 10km marsh which is submerged during the four or five monsoon months, but is a major feeding and roosting habitat during winter for over a hundred species of migratory birds, which arrive in October from their temperate breeding grounds. These birds include a few species of flamingos, over a dozen species of ducks, and several migratory birds.

Due to the varying degrees of salinity in different parts of the lake, the fauna is interestingly diverse, with a variety of animals adapting to a marine or riverine existence to survive in different parts of the lake. Animal life recorded in the lake ranges from planktonic microorganisms to a vast variety of fish, which together sustain the migratory birds population in winter.

A few estuarine turtles and snakes are found here along with species of dolphins, otters and several rodents, bats and sloth bears on the hills. Around 158 species of fishes and prawns have so far been recorded. In 1917, a rare reptile, the limbless skink (a type of lizard) was discovered for the first time in the loose soil of the Barakudia island.

Ideal places to see around Chilika are Satapada.

Ansupa Lake

This is the largest Fresh water lake in Orissa. This is heaven for migratory birds in winter season. This offers facilities for boating & fishing. Ansupa is 70 kms from Cuttack. One side of the lake there is Mahanadi and the other side is Saranda Mountain.

Hirakud

Hirakud is only 16 kms from Sambalpur. The Hirakud dam is the longest dam in the world and the largest dam made of earth. It is an engineering marvel. This reservoir forms the largest artificial lake in Asia with 746 sq km. A twenty-one km drive on the dyke offers a unique experience of calm serenity. One can comfortably enjoy the sight of the mighty Hirakud Dam and the fantastic expanse of water from the top of the revolving minaret called Gandhi Minar on the north, or from the Nehru Minar on the other end of the dam. A considerable number of migratory birds also come here during winter.

Mahanadi

Ma·ha·na·di ( ma-hä ' na-dē ) A river of central India rises in Satpura range of Central India flowing about 885 km north and generally east to the Bay of Bengal. The Mahanadi flows through the State of Orissa, and Chhatisgarh. Hirakud dam is built on this river. The fertile plains of the river are home to intensive rice cultivation. Mahanadi & Brahmani river together form a large delta where they meet Bay of Bangal. The Tel and Hasdo rivers are its main tributaries. 

Brahmani

This is situated in North Eastern state of Orissa. This river if formed by confluence of the Sankh & South Koel rivers. This river flows 480 km to join Mahanadi river and empties into Bay of Bengal at Palmyras Point. This is the second largest river in Orissa. It has a total catchment area of over 39,033 sq km in the state. Brahmani flows through the Eastern Ghats in the Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Jajpur districts before joining with the Mahanadi to form a combined mouth and merging with the Bay of Bengal.

Baitarani

This is one of the major perrenial river systems with a catchment area of 39,000 sq km, which directly or indirectly influences activities along its course. Vast mineral deposits in the catchment area, availability of water and good infrastructure favoured industrialization in the river basin has resulted in the deterioration of water quality. Two major industrial belts namely at Rourkela and Talcher and new establishments downstream around Dubri along the bank of the river are polluting the water by discharging domestic, mining, as well as industrial toxic effluents. At the upper end of the river Brahmani, Rourkela Municipality, Rourkela Steel Plant, Rourkela Fertilizer Plants, Rourkela Explosives, Bonaigarh Township, Tensa Mining Belt; along the middle sector, many coal mines of MCL, Aluminium Plant of NALCO at Angul, Thermal Power Plants in Talcher coal basin, Talcher Fertilizer Plant, Talcher Heavy Water plants and at down stream mine discharges of Sukinda belt and industrial activities at Dubri are polluting the river water. The deterioration in water quality has an adverse impact on human health and aquatic life directly.

Another important river basin is the Baitarani river that flows through two states of India. Major portion of its catchment lies within the state of Orissa and small patch of the upper reach lies in the Jharkhand state. Baitarani basin with its rich mineral and agricultural sources and with availability of cheap labour, offered ideal ground for establishment and operation of various industrial units, however consequent principal activities in industrial, agricultural and mining sectors contributed significantly towards deterioration in the water quality. Domestic sector did not also fall behind in this the race. It is estimated that he community waste is about four times the industrial effluent. In the Baitarani basin almost all these waste are discharged untreated into the water course causing pollution in the whole system. Since the villages usually do not have designated system of water supply and drainage of waste, the liquid content is totally absorbed in the soil of homestead areas and farm lands within the villages. Similarly in urban areas, the drainage channels are charged with overland sewerage water and it affects the ground water quality.

Subarnarekha

With a drainage area of 1.93 million ha this smallest of India's major inter-state river basins is a mute host to effluents from various uranium mining and processing units. While most rivers in the country are classified -- depending on the pollution load -- on a 'best designated use’ basis, the Subarnarekha defies any classification, as the existing parameters do not include radioactivity. The rain-fed Subarnarekha originates 15 kms south of Ranchi on the Chhotanagpur plateau draining the states of Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal before entering the Bay of Bengal. The total length of the river is 450 kms and its important tributaries include the Raru, Kanchi, Karkari, Kharkai, Garra and Sankh rivers.

Rushikulya River

The mouth of the Rushikulya River is one of three key nesting areas in Orissa, with the mouth of the Devi River and the Nasi Islands in Gahirmatha.

Budhabalanga

It originates from the eastern slope of the Similipal massif. It is about 175 km long and has a total catchment area of 4840 sq km with an annual flow of 2177 million m. Its major tributaries are the Sone, Gangadhar, the Catra etc.

Bahuda

It originates from the Ramgiri hills of the Eastern Ghats in Gajapati district & joins the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh. Its length is 73km and its catchment area is 1250 sq km.

Bansdhara

It originates from the flanks of the Durgakangar hills (Lingaraj Hills) of the Eastern Ghats in Kalahandi districts. It is 230km long; out of this length, its course is only 150km in Orissa. It enters the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It has a catchment area of 11,500 sq km.

Nagabali

It originates from Bijipur hills of Eastern Ghat near Lanjigarh. It is 210km long; out of this length, its course is 100km in Orissa. It has a total catchment area of about 9410 sq km.

Salandi

It originates from the Meghasani Hills of the Similipal massif in Keonjhar district. It is 144km long and has a catchment area of 1793 km.

Indravati

It originates from the Eastern Ghats in Kalahandi district. It is 530km long and has a catchment area of 41,700 sq km. As a tributary it flows into the Godavri river.

Kolab

It originates from the Sinkaran Hills of the Eastern Ghat in Koraput districts. It has a catchment area of 20,400 sq km.

Dandadhar

Located at a distance of 65km from Dhenkanal  & 30km away from Kamakhyanagar, Dandadhar is the site of an irrigation project on the river Ramial. It is an ideal place for enjoying the natural beauty of the countryside. Blue expanse of sparkling water, caged in lush green forests, is a thrill to the searching eyes.

Rengali

River Brahmani shelters a dam & reservoir at Rengali amidst picturesque environs. Located at a distance of 92km from Angul, it is a quiet place for picnic activities.

Sorada Ghai

Located at a distance of 80km from Berhampur, Sorada holds a reservoir amidst uncommon scenic charm. Popularly known as Sorada Ghai, it is an ideal place for outing. Sometimes, water of this reservoir is channelised to Rushikulya river for irrigation.