Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 11: The report of the annual bird census conducted in Chilika Lake revealed that as many as 7.61 lakh birds of nearly 172 species flocked to the lake this year.
Of the total figure of 7,61,940 birds spotted in Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, nearly 1.79 lakh were Eurasian birds while around 1.28 lakh were Northern Pintails. The report said 61,000 Godwits and 1,375 flamingos were also spotted.
In encouraging news for wildlife enthusiasts, officials said 2014 saw 42,600 more birds compared to 2013. “In 2013, around 7.19 lakh resident and migratory birds arrived at the 1,100 sq km lake,” said divisional forest officer Bikash Ranjan Dash.
“There is also an increase in the number of bird species compared to last year’s 158,” Dash added.Officials said the fall in figures of migratory birds in 2013 was due to Cyclone Phailin which hit the state’s coast in October.
A sizeable population of avian birds was also sighted at Nalabana Bird Sanctuary and Rambha Range.
The census was carried out recently by the Chilika Wildlife Division of the forest department and experts from different organizations such as the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The annual census of avian birds is an annual affair carried out by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and the wildlife wing of the Forest department.
