Migratory Birds Arrive At Hirakud Dam In Sambalpur

Sambalpur: At the height of the cold season in the state, migratory birds from Central and South-East Asia have started arriving at the Hirakud Dam and areas in and around the Reservoir.

Every year during the onset of winters, migratory birds of over 50,000 varities arrive in flocks at the Hirakud dam reservoir. The birds stay for about four months and fly back in the first week of March. Birds of avian species like Common Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Great Duck Bill, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pond Heron and Painted Stork fly down to the Hirakud Reservoir from Caspian Sea, Baikal Lake, Mongolia, Central and South East Asia and Himalayan terrains.

These birds migrate every year due to the presence of large wetland, cold climate and easy availability of food near the water reservoir.

According to reports, the number of migratory birds arriving at the Hirakud Dam has witnessed a gradual rise over the years. In 2017, more than 1.36 lakh migratory birds of 81 species were spotted at the Reservoir. Officials are anticipating more birds this year.

Bird watchers and animal lovers have urged the State Government to set up a Bird Sanctuary in the area to ensure their safety of the migratory birds.

Meanwhile, a team of officials from the Odisha Forest Department have been engaged on vigil duty to ensure the safety of the birds from poachers and hunters.

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