Annual Bird Census In Odisha From Tomorrow

Mangalajodi Photograph: Sefali Suman

Bhubaneswar: The annual bird census will begin in Odisha from January 3, informed Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Sandeep Tripathi on Wednesday.

The bird counting will be conducted at Nandankanan, Shimilipal and other divisions on January 3 and Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, the following day. The exercise will be held at Bhitarkanika and Hirakud on January 6.

Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district will remain out of bounds to visitors from January 6 to 14 during the census drive of estuarine crocodile and migratory birds.

The headcount of crocodiles will done at Mahanadi River System, Bhitarakanika River System, Ghodahad River Systerm and Similipal River System.

Similarly, the Dolphins census will be held on January 19, informed Tripathy.

The Forest Department has organised special protection camps in view of the annual census, he added.