Chilika/Rajnagar: The annual mid-winter bird census in Chilika begins today. The census started from 6.00 am and will go on till 12.00 pm.
The bird census in Chilika has begun today. For the counting of birds 21 teams have been engaged. For the counting of birds over the lake 18 teams have been set up while for counting in the coastal area of Chilika 3 teams are entrusted. Tourists and fishermen have been banned from going into the waters. In the Tangi range, eight teams of birders will do the counting.
On the other hand, bird counting of migratory birds in also going on in Mangaljodi. At this time, the visitors have been denied entry. The visitors can enter once the counting gets over. Bird counting will take place in 5 ranges under the Chilika wildlife division viz Satapada, Chilika, Balugaon, Tangi and Rambha.
Global positing system (GPS), binoculars, sporting scope, walkie talkie will be used for the counting. In 2024, 187 species of migratory birds totaling to 11,37,000 birds had come to Chilika. 11,31,000 birds of 184 species had migrated in 2023 to Chilika lake.
In every team four to five ornithologists will present along with other forest officials and supporting staff. In the Rajnagar wildlife division counting will be done in five ranges of Rajnagar, Kanika, Gahirmatha, Mahakalpada and Kujang.
Similarly, counting started as early as 5.00 am in the Brahmagiri range. The bird counting is going on in 4 zones. This census is done to estimate the number of migratory and resident birds in Odisha. The census of waterfowl is done every year in December or January.
On January 17, a training camp was arranged for the ornithology students and other officials engaged in the census and.