Post News Network
Bantala, Dec 31: Restrictions will be imposed on visitors to Satkosia gorge in river Mahanadi from Thursday in view of a crocodile and bird census scheduled to begin January 4.
Residents of Tikarpada and Athmallik in Angul district, Narasinghpur in Cuttack and Marada and Kuturi of Boudh district cannot venture into the gorge till January 9. Even fishermen have been restricted to enter the area during the period.
Satkosia wildlife division and Mahanadi wildlife division have made all arrangements to carry out the census drive. The department has called upon the residents to cooperate during the enumeration drive by not disturbing the birds and reptiles. Acting on the direction of regional chief conservator of forests Anup Kumar Nayak, the census will be conducted under the supervision of Satkosia DFO SMDT Rehman, his Mahanadi division counterpart Laxminarayan Behera, Satkosia assistant conservator of forests Shubhendu Behera and wildlife expert Rudranarayan Pradhan.
All forest department personnel, members of non-government organisations and mediapersons taking part in the census activity will be imparted training at the Forest Dak Bungalow at Tikarpada. Though the census is scheduled to continue till January 9, the date may be extended in the face of adverse weather conditions.
Those taking part in the census drive will be divided into eight teams. The first team will count birds and reptiles in the area between Tikarpada crocodile breeding centre and Pataka; the second team from Tikarpada to Harabhanga of Boudh; the third one from Tikarpada to Narasinghpur-Baliput; the fourth from Tikarpada to Badamula; the fifth from Harbhanga to Aida, the sixth from Narasinghpur-Baliput to Chakragad; the seventh team from Lunahandi to Belapunji Math and the eighth team will be engaged at Hirakud dam and the nearby low-lying areas. The census will also be taken up at Panchama nullah, Kadalikhola game tank, Kaintara pond, Jamadolo pond, Shishupathar dam, Manajor project of Athmallik and Kathakhunta pond.
