Khurda: With the onset of winter in the State, thousands of migratory birds have started arriving at Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia.
Various species of the winged guests including Northern pintail, Gadwali, shovellers, Flamingo and Brahmani ducks are being spotted descending on the mudflats of the lake. The arrival of the migratory birds also attribute in the number of tourist footfall here.
The number of migratory birds is expected to increase following further drop in temperature in the coming weeks, reports said.
Meanwhile, adequate steps are being taken by the forest department to protect the migratory birds from the poachers.
“We have set camps in the area and three staff and a forest guard have been deployed in each camp to monitor the birds. Besides, patrolling is also underway in the area,” informed Gangadhar Sahu, Ranger of Chilka-Nuapada Range.
Sahu further informed that around 10,000 migratory birds have already arrived at Chilika and the number is expected to rise in coming days.
“The birds have started flocking Chilika since the past one week and we hope more winged guests will reach the lake with the dip in temperature. Birds species like Northern pintail, Flamingo and Brahmani ducks are being spotted in the area so far,” said a bird lover, Sidharth Pattnaik.