As many as 58,097 birds belonging to 64 categories and 7,46, 621 birds belonging to 102 categories are estimated to have visited the Hirakud Water Reservoir and the Chilika lake, respectively, during the current year.
Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh informed this in the State Assembly while replying to a starred question of Sambalpur MlA Raseswari Panigrahi and supplementary questions of other members. The Minister said the birds, which visited Hirakud Water Reservoir include 43,889 migratory birds belonging to 18 categories.
He informed that a total of 15 cases were filed and 19 persons were sent to jail for killing birds at Chilika during this year. However, no case was filed for killing birds at the Hirakud Water Reservoir, he said.
While Panigrahi pointed out that the number of birds is decreasing due to fish catching, the Minister said a meeting of fishermen and concerned forest officials would soon be convened in this regard.
The Minister said nine safety groups involving local people have been formed for protection of the visiting birds. While four groups are patrolling inside the reservoir, others are looking into the safety aspect of birds from four watch towers erected one each at Barakhandia, Parbati Tanga, Choushimal and Buduma. Concerned employees and safety groups are communicating through BHF Network and keeping vigil on birds day and night. Similarly, nine Eco-Development Committees have been formed for creating awareness about safety of birds among villagers, the Minister said.
To a suggestion, the Minister said the Government would take steps to develop Debrigarh Sanctuary into an eco-tourism spot. Among others Government Deputy Chief Whip Rohit Pujari, Purna Chandra Sethy and Amar Prasad Satpathy put additional questions.