The total bird population of the Chilika lake is expected to be in the range of 10.5 lakh to 10.7 lakh this winter, which would be a good number compared to the last winter, claimed the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) on Friday.
The exact number of population with figures of different species would be provided only after a census done in near future by Chilika Wildlife Division, added the CDA.
The Nalabana water bird sanctuary spread over 15.53 sq km has the largest congregation of 3,74,752 birds of 114 species. Off these, 74 are water fowls and 40 waders.
Most of these water fowls breed outside the sub-continent in the palearctic region and migrates to Chilika lagoon during the winter for roosting and feeding.
The evicted areas from the net gharries to the tune of 162 sq km have not been reconstructed yet.
These areas have become the new place of congregation for the birds and the dolphin population. Areas such as Gurubai and Parikuda have become Important Bird Areas (IBA) with presence of large number of migratory ducks and geese.
The CDA said dolphins are colonising new areas which have become free from encroachments.
The population of wader birds was observed to be less compared to previous years, as they are dependent on mudflats which are dynamic in nature and was affected by the storm surge during the Cyclone Fani.
Notably, the annual monitoring of Chilika lagoon to know the status of flora and fauna and also to estimate the population range of birds in particular, was taken-up by Chilika Development Authority (CDA) with the help of 175 personnel in 29 teams. The survey was carried out from the morning to noon on January 3.
However, the inclement weather hindered the sighting and population estimation of Irrawaddy dolphin. The IBA, which holds significant numbers of one or more globally threatened bird species, were mapped out earlier to facilitate counting of birds.