06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

A total number of 217 species of fish under 147
genera, 71 families and 15 orders, which included
fresh, brackish and marine fishes (ZSI, 1995). The
number of fish species has been put at 225 by
others (Dean and Saltink, 1991), 259 (Mohanty,
2002) and 240 (Khora, 2002). According to a recent
press release from CDA,as many as 103 species of
fish belonging 52 genera under 14 families have
been vanished from Chilika during the last six
decades. Among 156 species of fish found in 2001,
about 38 are reported to be new species (Times of
India, New Delhi, Eastern India Special, 09/12/
2001,page 5).
Amphibians consisting of 7 species of toads and
frogs listed under 4 genera, belonging to 3 families
(ZSI, 1995). Reptiles include 12 species of lizards
and 30 species of snakes (ZSI, 1995). Chilika
lagoon is famous for the Barkuda Island Limbless
skink (Barkudia insularis). The generic name
has been attributed to Barkuda island. The only
holotype of the skink was dug up by F. H. Gravely
from Barkuda island in July 1916 (Brochure on
Pictorial Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles
of Ghilika, Chilika Wildlife Division).
Chilika popularly known as the birds' paradise
has been attracting more than a million birds that
include migratory, resident, breeding and nomadic
birds. During 1990s, attempts have been made to
census waterfowl populations in India. Of 1,421
sites counted in India, 34 sites covered during the
Asian waterfowl census 1994-1996qualify as sites
of international importance. Of these, the Chilika
lagoon topped the national list harbouring a total
of 1,484,186water birds of 85 species in 1996. The
available records on bird from different sources
vary from 156 species under 91 genera and 23
orders (ZSI, 1995) to 159 species under 92 genera,
27 families and 9 orders (Dev, 1997). Of the 159
species listed by Dev (1997), about 90 are
migrants, 60 residents and 3 vagrants. A brochure
released by the Chilika Wildlife Division (2000),
however put the list of bird species at 167.
So far in ail 19 species of mammalian fauna are
listed under 18 genera, 10 families and 5 orders
from Chilika and its surrounding area (ZSI, 1995).
The Irrawady River Dolphin (Orcaella
brevirostris), first reported by Annandale (1915),
is presently confined to Satapada-Magarmukha
area and occasionally seen between Kalijai and
BJllugaon (Dandapani, 1992).
211
Table5:FlmnaofChiIika
ttl. Taxon Species Genera Family Onle,
1. PROTOZOA 61 37 31 12
2. PORIfERA 7 5 4 3
Chilika Lake
Remart