<h1 class="ql-align-center">Irrawaddy Dolphin</h1> <h2>Context:</h2> <ul><li>Irrawaddy dolphin found dead in Chilika Lake.&nbsp;This is the 8th dolphin death in Odisha in 8 months.</li></ul> <h2>About:</h2> <ul><li>The species is considered Endangered by the International Union for conservation of nature (IUCN).</li></ul> <ul><li>Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, India.</li></ul> <ul><li>Besides the Irrawaddy River, it is also found in India's Ganges, Chilika lake, and Southeast Asia's Mekong River.</li></ul> <ul><li>They prefer to live in estuaries and brackish water near coasts</li></ul> <h2>Chilika Lake:</h2> <ul><li>Chilika is&nbsp;Asia’s largest and world’s second-largest lagoon.</li></ul> <ul><li>It is&nbsp;the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent&nbsp;and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.</li></ul> <ul><li>In 1981, Chilika Lake has designated&nbsp;the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.</li></ul> <ul><li>A major attraction at Chilika is Irrawaddy dolphins&nbsp;which are often spotted off Satpada Island.</li></ul> <ul><li>The large&nbsp;Nalabana Island&nbsp;(Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.</li></ul>