History of Mangalajodi

Manglajodi is a small picturesque village on Chilika Lake’s northern-western fringe, known for its marshes and water fowl congregations.

Every winter Manglajodi comes alive with birds from temperate regions that migrate here to spend winter in its warm waters. Ducks like Pintail, Shovellers, Garganey, Gadwall and Pochards; and waders such as Black Tailed Godwits, Black Winged Stilts, Ringed Plovers, undertake a perilous journey from as far as Europe, central Asia, etc. across the Himalayas and congregate here to feed in the rich wetlands and prepare themselves for their return migration in summer.

Manglajodi has come a long way to get here. Mangalajodi was famous as ‘poachers’ village’ because of the involvement of villagers in water bird poaching on a large, commercial scale. Even the eggs were not spared. It was no surprise therefore, when the census in the year 2000, counted a mere 5,000 birds in these waters.

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Protection has benefited not only Manglajodi’s birds, but all of its fantastic biodiversity including, among myriad others, fishes, snakes, monitor lizards and the elusive Fishing Cat.

Manglajodi now host more than 1,50,000 birds in the peak season and has been designated the status of ‘Important Bird Area’ by Birdlife International (www.birdlife.org) for its importance as a significant global waterfowl habitat.