Assessing geomorphological and hydro morphological changes of Chilika lagoon

Mallik, Kumbhakarna and Bauri, Krishna Pada (2025) Assessing geomorphological and hydro morphological changes of Chilika lagoon. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 26 (3). pp. 778-789. ISSN 2581-9615

The largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, Chilika Lagoon, is a Ramsar-designated wetland that is experiencing major hydro-meteorological and geomorphological changes as a result of both natural and man-made factors. The spatial-temporal evolution of Chilika's landscape and hydrological regime over the previous 50 years is summarised in this review, with a focus on the interactions between tidal interactions, sediment dynamics, climatic variability, and changes in land use and land cover (LULC). In connection with upstream catchment modifications and coastal processes, important geomorphological changes are analysed, such as mouth migration, deltaic progradation, and sedimentation-induced basin fragmentation. Remote sensing-based studies and multi-decadal datasets are used to critically evaluate hydro-meteorological drivers, including cyclonic disturbances, freshwater inflow, evaporation, salinity intrusion, and monsoonal variability. The review also highlights current conservation and restoration efforts, such as the opening of the new lagoon mouth in 2000, and examines the effects of these changes on local livelihoods, fisheries, and biodiversity. High-resolution hydrodynamic modelling, integrating long-term socio-ecological datasets, and scenario-based forecasting under climate change are among the research gaps that currently exist. The necessity of adaptive, multidisciplinary management strategies that balance ecological sustainability and socioeconomic resilience in the Chilika Lagoon system is highlighted by this review.