Odisha: Annual Bird Census To Begin Tomorrow In Chilika Lake, migratory birds from faraway regions arrive
The annual bird counting process of the migratory birds that visit Odisha every year during the migratory season was kicked off at the Chilika Lake on January 4, officials said on Monday.
The counting of migratory birds will be conducted in five ranges under Chilika wildlife division – Balugaan, Tangi, Chilika, Rambha and Satapada.
The Chilika Lake, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha, is the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia.
Besides wildlife personnel, several experts of different organisations in and outside of the state will be engaged in the mammoth exercise, sources said.
Ahead of the actual head count, a training programme for enumerators is being held Wetland Research and Training Centre of Chilika Development Authority (CDA) near Barkul on Tuesday, where the bird enthusiasts from different organisations took part.
Wildlife officials and guides have been deployed for the annual counting of birds.
The counting process of birds in Chilika Lake is carried out every year. Migratory birds from faraway regions like northern Eurasia, Siberia, the Caspian region, Kazakhstan, Lake Baikal and remote areas of Russia and other neighbouring countries visit the lake every year and return home before the onset of summer.
Millions of birds species had started arriving from all over the world to the Queen of natural beauty, Chilika. The place has become the nest for all exotic species of birds and as a result, it has become like color palette to the tourists.
Tourists from around the world including bird experts and bird lovers have started arriving in Chilika to witness the beauty of nature. The chirping sounds of birds have begun to be heard from Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary.
Notably, as many as 48,728 birds of 106 species were counted at the lake during the annual summer survey held in May last year.
