Chilika Lake, Rambha, Orissa India

A hotspot of biodiversity, the area teems with hundreds of bird watcher and tourists who come here during the months of October to March to see over 200 species of birds from as far as Caspian Sea, Siberaia, ,Afganistan and the Himalayas. Besides the flamingo, siberan crane barheaded goose, openbilled stork, spoonbill, brahimny duck, wigeon, pintail, shoveller, white bellied sea eagle, brahminy kite, spotbilled pelican, ibis, stilt, heron, egret,avocet, gull, tern, king fisher etc the lagoon is home to many marine and freshwater fishes.The best place to view birds is from the Nalabana Island, now a sanctury and from Mangaljodi, where one can get an amazing view of the scenery from the watchtower.As opposed the Satapada island is the best place to see the dolphins. Boating is the best way to explore the islands. The OTDC and several private players ply their boats & you can hire licensed boats at Barkul, Satpada, Balugaon, and Rambha. You can also take a ride from a fisherman who very often also doubles up as a guide.