A recent survey conducted in Chilika, India’s largest brackish water lagoon, has revealed a significant increase in the population density of fishing cats, a small wild cat species. Researchers attribute this growth primarily to the lake’s abundant fish population, which serves as the species’ main food source. This multi-stakeholder survey underscores the vital role of community involvement in conservation initiatives.
Thriving Species in Chilika
Four years after the Chilika Development Authority designated fishing cats as ambassadors of the region, the species appears to be flourishing. The latest estimates indicate that the northern and southern sectors of Chilika host a substantial number of fishing cats—the highest density recorded outside protected areas, according to researchers.
The study, conducted in two phases in 2021 and 2022, employed 144 camera traps over a total of 4,380 trap nights, covering both the northern and southern blocks of Chilika, which feature distinct fishing cat habitats.
Key Findings
The findings revealed an estimated population of approximately 344 fishing cats across both regions. “We referenced previous studies and evaluated estimates from various locations and countries. This is currently the highest recorded density of fishing cats outside protected areas,” stated Tiasa Adhya, the lead author of the study, affiliated with the Centre for Conservation of Natural Resources at the University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, as well as the Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance in Texas.
Adhya, also the founder of The Fishing Cat Project, which focuses on fishing cat research in West Bengal and Odisha, emphasized that the thriving fish population in Chilika is a crucial factor contributing to the increased density of fishing cats in the area.
Healthy Ecosystem Supported by Diverse Fish Species
Chilika Lake is home to a rich diversity of over 300 fish species, estimated at a total of 19 metric tonnes. This abundance sustains various predator species, including smooth-coated otters, Eurasian otters, and Irrawaddy dolphins. “Despite the area being human-dominated, with around 200,000 fishermen relying on the lake for their livelihoods, these fish-eating mammals coexist, indicating a healthy ecosystem,” Adhya explained. Other mammals inhabiting the lagoon include the golden jackal, Asian palm civet, small Indian civet, striped hyena, and honey badger.
Another important finding from the study revealed that the fishing cat population remains stable despite varying habitat structures in the northern and southern regions, suggesting that “fishing cats may adapt to fragmented habitats as long as prey availability is high and persecution rates remain low,” as noted in the research paper.
Diverse Habitats and Species Adaptation
The northern and northeastern sections of Chilika are characterized by contiguous marshlands dominated by Phragmites karka, a perennial reed that provides a favorable refuge for fishing cats due to freshwater inflow from rivers. Conversely, the southern brackish area comprises a mix of land types, including wetlands associated with mangrove species, aquaculture ponds, agricultural fields, and human settlements, resulting in fragmented fishing cat habitats.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
Fishing cats are classified as globally vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and receive the highest level of protection under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. According to conservationist Murthy Kantimahanti, founder of the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society, the health of wetlands is crucial for the survival of fishing cats. However, he emphasizes that the availability of fish alone does not dictate their numbers; fishing cats have a diverse diet that includes squirrels, rodents, birds, mollusks, and water snakes.
The conservation of fishing cats presents a multi-stakeholder challenge, with local communities playing a critical role. Adhya credits much of the survey’s success to collaboration with local fishermen, stating, “The survey was an integral part of our conservation effort, and local community members were pivotal to its implementation.”
Collaborative Conservation Efforts
The initiative involved various enforcement agencies, such as the Chilika Development Authority and the Chilika Wildlife Division, as well as multiple government departments, including fisheries and revenue. Adhya noted that the collaboration required to conduct the study outside protected areas marked a significant achievement, as it is often challenging to align different government departments, each with distinct priorities.
“Climate change has shifted perspectives in recent years; neglecting nature conservation is no longer an option,” Adhya added, highlighting a growing recognition of the importance of conserving wetlands and ecosystems. “Conserving ecosystems is essential for sustaining human life as well. Biodiversity serves as an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.”
In light of the survey results, the Odisha Forest Department is developing a Fishing Cat Action Plan that will include ongoing population density assessments and threat mitigation strategies. These strategies will encompass controlling reed fires, building local community capacity to enhance conservation efforts, conducting research, and promoting stewardship programs within student communities.
Related Topics
