Chilika: The annual bird census which began Sunday with the counting of avian species from various parts of Odisha, counted arrival of over 12 lakh migratory birds in Chilika Lake, the first Indian wetland of international importance under Ramsar Convention and UNESCO world heritage site.
This is the highest ever bird count in the water lagoon in last two decades.
A report said that the officials spotted 12,04,351 birds of 111 species this year during the annual bird count in the Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Tuesday.
Last year, the number of birds was estimated at around 10.70 lakh. In 2019, around 10.47 lakh birds were counted at the lagoon.
Of the total bird population counted in Chilika this year, as many as 38,475 birds flocked the wetland from local areas, added reports.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Chilika Kedar Kumar Swain informed said, “As compared to the past year data, the bird population in Chilika has increased by 1.35 lakh. Similarly, Nalabana saw an increase of 18,000 migratory birds and two new species of migratory duck. Falcated teal and Mallard duck were spotted during the census in Mangalajodi sector.”
Notably, the annual bird census of Odisha began January 3 with counting of avian species in Puri and Mayurbhanj districts. The census started at 5.30am and continued till 12noon, a forest department source informed.
According to the department source, separate teams of forest officials conducted surveys at water bodies in Simlipal, Baripada, Rairangpur, Karanjia and Balasore forest divisions of Mayurbhanj district. The teams counted the number of avian guests who have arrived here during the nesting season, including the permanent ones.
In another similar drive, forest officials of Puri forest division including ornithologists and wildlife experts carried out the census work in Konark, Astaranga, Gop, Balukhand and Brahmagiri forest ranges under Puri wildlife division.
The department is finalising modalities to include students of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in the annual census work, a senior forest official said.
Each team was provided with binoculars, two-way radio sets, global positioning system (GPS) sets and other equipment to carry out the task.
The annual census of avian guests at Hirakud reservoir will be conducted by Sambalpur forest division January 7.
PNN