Since silt load from lagoon basin has always been of critical importance to the 1100 sq km wetland facing multiple pressures, the Government has begun a long-term plan to address the issues.

The catchment of Chilika is spread over 4,085 sq km and is divided into 218 micro watersheds.

According to available statistics, 48 of these micro watersheds spread over 57,072 hectare have been identified as erosion prone. At least 52 rivers and rivulets discharge into the lagoon bringing in 0.365 million cubic metres of silt which explains the siltation problems in Chilika over the years.

The degraded micro watershed and depletion of natural resources and loss of productive capacity impart a huge cost on the local communities.

As yet, 18 degraded micro watersheds are treated, while another 32 degraded ones need attention which the State Government turned its attention to this time during annual governing body meeting of Chilika Development Authority. Most of the degraded watersheds fall within the jurisdiction of the DFO Khurda, Berhampur and Chilika Wildlife Division. While action plans are already afoot for treatment of degraded watersheds, it is maintenance and sustainable management of the rest which is now being given emphasis.

The State Government has asked CDA for an integrated basin management plan, which would eventually be included in the five-year Perspective Plan of the Forest Department. In the governing body meeting, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had directed intensified afforestation and plantation activities as part of the treatment activities.

Sources said the five-year management plan would draw funds from quite a number of sources including Ministry of Environment and Forests and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority would also be utilised.

In fact, for effective monitoring of the catchment treatment two more range officers would be brought on deputation basis from the Forests Department to CDA, the Government has decided.

For the degraded watersheds, the DFO of Khurda has already formulated an action plan for 17 micro watersheds and submitted the same to the Khurda Collector for funding under the NREGS. The DFO, Berhampur, and the Chilika DFO are also formulating treatment plan on similar lines. A proposal to MoEF for providing funding for treatment of 10 micro watersheds in participatory mode is being readied.