Though winter is yet to set in, migratory birds from distant lands have begun arriving in Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. Sources said that more than 30,000 winged guests have already reached the Mangalajodi and Nalaban areas of the lake by the middle of October.
No wonder, the arrival of the migratory birds has added to the beauty of the placid blue waters of the 1,000-sqkm Chilka lake spread over the districts of Puri, Khordha and Ganjam along the eastern coast which is home to some of the largest congregations of these birds in the country.
This year, the highest number of migratory birds has been sighted at Mangalajodi. The wildlife department has stepped up protection measures for the birds against poaching. It is also trying to raise awareness levels among the locals to offer protection to the birds, wildlife officials said.
Migratory birds from places as far as the Caspian Sea, lake Baikal, Aral Sea, Russia, Mongolia, central and Southeast Asia, ladakh and the Himalayas make Chilika their home for four months. Presently, there is three-feet-deep water in the Nalaban sanctuary with enough of vegetation and Nala grass for the birds to feed on.