About

• Chilika Lake, located in Odisha, spans over 1,100 square kilometers, making it the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and the second-largest coastal lagoon in the world.
• It serves as the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl in the Indian subcontinent, attracting over a million migratory birds annually. 
• The lake is also one of the few places where the vulnerable Irrawaddy dolphin can be observed in its natural habitat.
• Recognizing its ecological significance, Chilika Lake was the first Indian wetland designated as a Ramsar site of international importance. 
• It became the first Asian wetland to be removed from the Montreux Record, which lists Ramsar sites undergoing ecological changes.
  • To restore the lake’s ecosystem, the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) implemented various conservation measures, including the opening of a new mouth to the sea, which significantly improved water exchange and salinity levels.

Why in the News?

• Following New Zealand’s decision to grant legal personhood to Taranaki, environmental activists are urging the government to recognize Olive Ridleys and Chilika Lake as legal entities.

About legal personhood status to natural entities

• Granting legal personhood to natural entities is a transformative approach to protect the environment by giving them legal rights and protections.
• This legal status allows them to be represented in court, ensuring their interests are defended against environmental harm.

Legal personhood to natural entities in India

• In 2017, Uttarakhand high court recognized the Ganges and Yamuna rivers as legal persons, aiming to enhance their protection and management.
  • However, this decision was overturned by the Supreme Court of India, citing that the concept was legally unworkable and raised complex legal challenges.