A total of 16,672 birds were spotted in Athagarh Forest Division during a recent census which concluded on Thursday.
They include 5,240 birds of 31 species in Athagarh range, ,591 birds of 13 species in Khuntni range, 5,144 birds of 16 species in Badamba, 2,022 birds of 26 species in Narsinghpur (east) and1,675 birds of 11 species in Narsinghpur (West).
The bird count took place at Ansupa, Kantapahanra, Champadei Thakurani, Amkei Kuda, Mundali, Chasaanrapatta, Sunthipal, Jaripalbandha, Jamunabandha, Rampeipatta, Jamunanal and Barabati pond in Athagarh Range; Kumaribandha, Orda WHS, Kumarpur, Gurudijhatia, Gobara, Dalua, Kansara ponds and other water bodies in Khuntuni range area; Sunamuhinbandha, Bangerisingha, Mugagahira, Gopinathpur, Bhattarika, Karada, Katarapal, Khambeswari MIPs under Badamba range; Bandhahuda, Sagar, Khalinullah, Ghoradia, Siariakata, Balijhari etc in Narsinghpur.
In a Press meet, Athagarh Range Officer Rabindra Nayak, Khuntuni Range Officer Maguni Behera, Badamba Range Officer Gobinda Ratha, Narsinghpur (East) Range Officer Aviram Jena and Narsinghpur (West) Range Officer Bijaya Mohanty revealed this.
Mostly, Red Crested Pochards, Leser Whistling Duck, Little Cormorant, River Lapwig, Northern Shovelr, Ruddy Shelduck, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Commen Pochard, Spot Billduck, Greylag Goose were largely found. Rare species like Cotton Teal, Grey Heron, Asian Open Bill Stork and Purple Moonhen were also found. Over 200 forest staffs and bird lovers were engaged in the counting, said the DFO Sasmita Lenka.