Kendrapada: There has been a healthy rise in the number of migratory birds flocking Bhitarkanika National Park, India’s second-largest mangrove forest.
The annual bird census conducted by the Forest department on Saturday revealed that a total of 97,866 birds from 10 species were found in the National Park. The number of nests spotted this year is 21,185, an increase of 1959 from last year’s bird census.
Birds like Kaparkhai, Anjana, Rani Baga, Panikua, Gendalia and Khaira are some of the species that throng Bhitarkanika during monsoons.
The number of avian guests increased this year due to the availability of open space and ample food.
Besides the food resources, lack of human interference, ideal climatic conditions, cool breeze and the river system are the favourable factors that contribute to the congregation of the birds here.
Altogether 21,185 nests were spotted at Mathadiha located inside the national park and Laxmiprasad Diha and Durga Prasad Diha — located outside the park.
