Bhubaneswar: Chilika, India’s largest brackish water lagoon, is gearing up for a grand bird census and dolphin count.
The bird census is scheduled for January 18 and dolphin census on the January 20, informed Amalan Nayak, DFO, Chilika Wildlife Division, at a meeting held at the Chilika Wildlife Office in Balugaon on Friday morning.
The event aims to take stock of the avian population and marine life in the lake.
According to DFO, 22 teams will be deployed across the lake to conduct the bird census. Each team will consist of a bird expert and 3-5 enumerators. The teams will cover areas like Satapada, Rambha, Balugaon, Tangi, and Chilika Range.
The census will be conducted from 6 am to 1 pm, and participants will include experts from the Bombay Natural History Society, Odisha Wildlife Department, Forest Department, students of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and local birdwatching groups. Besides, each team will comprise two boat operators.
Meanwhile, the lake is currently witnessing a massive influx of migratory birds, with over a lakh birds spotted in the area. The census aims to provide valuable insights into the lake’s ecosystem and help conservation efforts.
