In Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, the counting of migratory birds began on Thursday. The enumeration started at 6 am in seven sectors, including Satpada, Rambha, Balugaon, Tangi, and the Chilika Range under the Chilika Wildlife Division. The lake has been divided into five zones for bird counting, with a total of 21 teams engaged in the process. Teams are deployed across Tangi, Balugaon, Satpada, Rambha, and Krishna Prasad zones, totaling 120 members.
Among these, 11 teams are actively involved in the counting process within the Tangi Range. Each team consists of 6 to 7 enumerators equipped with GPS and binoculars for accurate counting. This year, the use of technology such as GPS and binoculars will aid in counting the birds that migrate to the lake.
The teams include members from the Wildlife Department, Forest Department, OUAT students, social organization Wild Odisha, and Wildies. Additionally, members from Tangi Range and three bird protection committees in BNHS are actively participating. This year’s census will cover both land and water areas where migratory birds have settled.
Every winter, Chilika Lake attracts vibrant migratory birds covering thousands of miles. Last year, the lake hosted 10,74,000 migratory birds, while in 2021, a record-breaking 12,42,826 birds were observed. Similarly, in 2020, the count reached 11,05,040. Anticipations suggest an increase in the number of migratory birds this year.
The census is crucial for monitoring the health of the ecosystem and understanding the patterns of avian migration in Chilika, contributing valuable data for conservation efforts. The engagement of various teams and organizations underscores the collaborative approach towards preserving the rich biodiversity of Chilika Lake.
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