Bird Census Begins In Bhitarkanika National Park, Hirakud

Kendrapara/Sambalpur: The Forest department on Sunday morning began the annual census of birds at Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Hirakud reservoir in Sambalpur district, simultaneously.

Along with the bird census, the annual census of the estuarine crocodiles also began at Bhitarkanika.

Talking to the media, DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove (Forest) and Wildlife Division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya, said a total of 16 teams of 3-4 members each have been formed. The team, led by the deputy director of the Bombay Natural History Society, Dr Balachandran will carry out the bird census. “The teams will carry out the head count of the migratory birds in the wetland areas of the park, including Raipatia, Mathadia, Guptighata, Hansinaghata and Batighara,” Acharya said.

The DFO also said that eight teams under the direct supervision of the well-known crocodile expert of Odisha Dr Sudhakar Kar will be engaged in the crocodile census. The teams, assisted by trained local forest staff, will cover Bhitarkanika river system besides innumerable creeks, water inlets and nullahs where the reptiles are found in abundance during the census. “The decision to close down the park from January 6 to 14 for the visitors and tourists has been taken to prevent noise pollution during the census drive of the estuarine crocodile,” he pointed out.

Apart from Bhitarkanika, the bird census has begun in the Hirakud reservoir.

Talking to mediapersons, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) Sambalpur, Jitendra Behera said the reservoir has been divided into 21 sectors (18 sectors in the reservoir and three sectors in the power channel) for the census.

“A total 50 staff of Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Bargarh Forest divisions and 17 experts are engaged in the exercise. Each team has two experts and a bird enumerator ,who have been provided with binoculars and cameras. The teams after carrying out the census will submit their report to the state Forest and Environment department,” Behera said.

Several migratory bird species like the Siberian Millen, Eurasian Wigeon, Garganey, Mallard, Pochard, Common Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Redhead Pochard and Fidgens have arrived in the reservoir this year, he said.

The ACF further said that 1,34,835 migratory birds of 82 species had flocked to the reservoir last year.

“These avian guests usually visit the reservoir in December and leave the area at the end of February or early March,” he added.