Located 100 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, Chilika is known to support the largest concentration of migratory waterfowl in India.

At least a million birds are seen at the lake every winter. They belong to 165 species, of which 93 are migratory and 72 are residential.

Patnaik also highlighted the need for a National Mangrove Research Institute in Orissa as mangroves along the coast help in preventing the damage wrought by tsunami and cyclones.

The chief minister said that 'the National Mangrove Research Centre could also monitor the impact of the sea level rise, cyclone-associated tidal surges and other anthropogenic pressures on mangroves', the statement said.