Bhubaneswar: The results of annual bird census conducted in Chilika Lake were out Thursday revealing presence of altogether 11,37,759 birds in the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia. Significantly, the census saw appearance of Pallas fish eagle after a gap of about 10 years.
A total of 10,98,813 birds belonging to 108 migratory species and 38,946 birds of 79 local species were sighted during the census. The number of flamingos arriving at the lake rose to 820 as against 373 last year, said sources.
Chilika is also the largest wintering ground for winged guests in Indian Subcontinent, said sources, adding that the lake is hosting more than 1 million birds for the second consecutive year. Indian Forest Services (IFS) officer and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden Susanta Nanda shared the information on social media Thursday.
The annual bird census began in Chilika Lake Thursday morning. As many as 21 teams comprising five-six ornithologists each have been deployed for the counting of the migratory and domestic birds in Chilika lagoon, which is spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha.
The surveyor teams also include officials of Chilika Development Authority (CDA), experts from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Wild Odisha, Frow With Nature, Elephant Trust and members of various social organisations. The census is underway at five ranges – Satapada, Rambha, Balugaon, Tangi and Chilika.
As many as 18 teams are undertaking the survey work in terrestrial areas and rest are engaged in aquatic areas. Migratory birds mostly come to Chilika from beyond the Himalayas every winter — from northern Eurasia, the Caspian region, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Lake Baikal and remote areas of Russia and neighbouring countries. They start their homeward journey before the onset of summer.
PNN
