Manglajodi is one of the oldest village of Odisha, situated
75 kms from Bhubaneswar. Approximately 10 sq km area of marshy land or a fresh
water estuary connected to the Chilika Lake (lagoon) through several channels
is all about Manglajodi Biodiversity Hotspot. During winter it becomes the
paradise for bird watcher and a temporary home of more than 80 species of
Migratory birds. At a time u may witness more than 200 species of birds in this
area – Migratory as well as resident birds.
This wetland is recognized by Ramsar Convention, which is a
global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem for wetland
conservation and wise use of wetland and its resources.
Manglajodi is significant and internationally
acclaimed for its unusual waterfowl habitat and declared as “International Bird
Area (IBA)”.
The first day of our boat trip to this wetland we spotted –
- Mud Sandpiper
- Grey wagtail
- Large pied wagtail
- Little grebe
- Black headed Ibis
- Puple Moorhen
- Common coot
- Black tailed Godwit
- Asian openbill stork
- Purple Heron
- Cattle Egret
- Large egret
- Red wattled lapwing
- Grey headed lapwing
- Black kite
- Bhraminy kite
- Black winged stilt
- Pied Kingfisher
- White breasted kingfisher
- Ruddy shelduck
- Black drongo
- Bronze winged Jacana
- Grey Heron
Second day we spotted –
1. Small
blue kingfisher
2. River
tern
3. Pheasant tailed Jacana
4. Gadwall
5. Northern
Shoveller
6. Northern
Pintail
7. Indian
shag
8. Little
cormorant
9. Pond
heron
10. Bush Lark (Unidentified) etc. 
Apart from Birding we got a fresh breath of Village in
the core Odisha which was refreshing. Village Manglajodi is comprised of
fisherman communities their main profession is fishing, boat making, net making,
basket weaving – all such small cottage industry related to fishing. If one can
enter the core culture of Manglajodi people it can produce a very good research
work on Tribal people and ancient rituals.
Overall Manglajodi is a mixed bag of Nature and Culture.
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