Over Six Lakh Migratory Birds Arrive In Odisha’s Chilika Lake, Census On Jan 4

Berhampur: More than six lakh migratory birds have arrived at Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia, till December 15, official sources said.

As per a rough estimate, 6,06,878 migratory birds of 105 species have arrived in Chilika, including 2,60,135 birds in Nalabana.

The birds arrive at the lake on an annual sojourn to escape the harsh winter of countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan and as far as the US and Canada.

Spread over 1,100 sq km, the lake provides an ideal spot to the birds to feed and breed. The birds started arriving at the lake in the first week of October.

Meanwhile, the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and Balugaon Wildlife Division prepared themselves for the bird census on January 4. Twenty teams of five members each will conduct the census after undergoing training on January 3, sources said.

The entry of tourists and boats to Nalabana will be prohibited 10 days before the census to facilitate free movement of the migratory birds.