A total of 7,46,622 migratory birds of 102 species visited the Chilika lake this year, informed Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Arukh in the Assembly on Tuesday. Similarly, 84,563 migratory birds of 94 speicies, 43,889 of 18 species, 10,342 of four species and 7,282 of 22 specied had had visited the Bhitarkanika, Hirakud, Rengali and Ansupa water bodies, respectively, as the census done in January, Arukh said.
The Minister furnished this information while replying to questions put by Bijay Kuamr Mohanty and other members. He said 37 bird protection teams have been formed for protection of birds. Of these teams, 18 each were deployed at Chillika, nine each at Bitarkanika and Hirakud and one at Ansupa. The Minister said the State Government would make a documentary film in order to make people aware of birds’ protection. Besides, he said a survey would be conducted on the allegation that bird killers are being poisoned through lotus petals in the water bodies.