Sambalpur: In good news for bird lovers in the state, the population of migratory birds has witnessed an increase in Hirakud reservoir this year, as per the annual bird census currently underway across forest divisions in Odisha.
As per the bird count conducted on January 6, the number of winged guests visit to the Hirakud reservoir (WL) Division and forest divisions of Sambalpur and Jharsugudahas rose to 1,45,946 birds of 92 species from last year’s 1,34,835 winged guests of 82 species.
Notably, the Hirakud reservoir was divided into 21 sectors for the enumeration of the avian guests this year. Each sector was covered by one team and the counting was done simultaneously. Members of different NGOs, students of OUAT and Utkal University assisted the forest officials in the census.
On the other hand, the avian census in Bhitarkanika National Park has also witnessed an decrease in the number of guests as compared to last year by 3878 whereas Chilika witnessed an increase in the same period.
The bird census will be followed by estuarine crocodile and Dolphin count to be conducted on January 19.
Kalinga AI