Khordha: In good news for bird lovers and environmentalists in the state, the annual bird census currently underway at the Chilika brackish water lake here had discovered a rise in the number of migratory birds this season.
As per the findings of the study, the number of winged guests to the lake has gone up to 10,47,968 this year as compared to that of 8,93,390 registered last year. A total of 10,21,563 birds of 105 waterfowl species and 26,405 water dependent birds of 76 species have visited Chilika this year, it adds.
In an encouraging fact, the number of birds thronging Nalabana area alone has mounted to 3,93,541 from the earlier figure of 3,20,826 last year.
Notably, the annul bird census across forest divisions in Odisha started on January 3 this year. At least 26 teams including five experts, three ACFs and 70 forest officials were assigned with the task of bird enumeration in Chilika, Brahmagiri, Nandankanan, Similipal areas. The members of the team were provided with binoculars, two-way radio (walkie-talkie) and GPS scale for the purpose.
Ms Kalinga