CDA to conduct research after sea sponge found in Chilika

Bhubaneswar: The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) will conduct an extensive research as a team has recently found sponge, a primitive animal, in Rambha sector of the Chilika Lake after almost three decades.

Confirming the development, additional chief executive of Chilika Development Authority (CDA), Sasmita Lenka stated that usually sponge is found in fresh water.

“As we have come across sponge in brackish water, we will conduct more research on it. We have sent samples of the spongilla species to Zoological Survey of India,” said Lenka.

Lenka further informed that the team had found the spongilla species during an eviction of illegal prawn gherries.

“Sponges are of great ecological importance as they purify water by converting nitrogen gas into useful nitrogen that is important for survival of other organisms,” said Lenka.