Experts Carry Out Bird Census At Chilika In Odisha

Berhampur: The annual bird census at Chilika Lake was carried out early on Tuesday morning. At least 21 teams comprising 105 Forest Department officials were engaged in the exercise.

The surveyor teams also included officials from Chilika Development Authority (CDA), experts from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Wild Odisha, Grow With Nature, Elephant Trust and members of various social organisations.

“Each group had four to five members comprising one staff, one resource person and other guides. Report will be out by 5-6 pm,” said an official.

The census was carried out at five ranges namely Satapada, Rambha, Balugaon, Tangi and Chilika. As many as 18 teams undertook the survey work in terrestrial areas and rest in aquatic areas.

Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia. Spread over Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts, the lake covers an area of around 1,100 sq km.

Migratory birds from northern Eurasia, the Caspian region, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Lake Baikal and remote areas of Russia and neighbouring countries visit the lake every year and return home before the onset of summer.