The number of birds has declined in the Bhitarkanika sanctuary in Kendrapara district this year.
As per the annual bird census carried out on Sunday, a total of 1,09,059 birds of 74 species were spotted at the sanctuary compared to 1,12,937 last year. Hence, the bird population dropped by 3,878 this year against the previous year 2018, the census report revealed.
However, the number of migratory birds at the Chilika lake has increased this year. As per the census concluded on January 4, the lake has 10, 47,968 winged guests of 181 species as against 8, 93,390 last year.
Similarly, the Nalabana sanctuary of Chilika also registered an increase in the bird count this year with 3, 93,541 birds spotted in the sanctuary against last year’s 3, 20,826 birds.
The annual dolphin census will begin in the Chilika on January 19.