Sambalpur: A census of migratory birds at Hirakud reservoir in Sambalpur district is scheduled to kick start from January 8, forest officials said.
Teams of Hirakud Wildlife Division as nodal division with Sambalpur, Jharsuguda & Bargarh divisions will be engaged in the exercise.
Reportedly, 15 Sectors have been formed covering whole of Hirakud Reservoir starting from Hirakud Dam upto Odisha Chhattisgarh border in Hirakud reservoir.
Meanwhile, 30 teams will be conducting census with 30 bird experts including forest officials and more than 60 participants will be conducting census that day.
From 8 locations all participants will disburse for census at 5 am morning on 8th. Census will be conducted from 6 am to 5 pm.
All teams have been well equipped with binoculars and lifesaving jackets.
On the other hand, 35 number of fishermen boats have been engaged of 3 districts Sambalpur, Bargarh & Jharsuguda. Fishermen who have knowledge on birds nesting have been primarily choosen for this task.
Before one day all fishing activity and tourism activity will cease inside reservoir. Patrolling boats of forest department will also not disturb the habitat. All locals have been made aware of it .
A priliminary reki for assessing the congregation and distribution of bird species across the reservoir was done by Hirakud division during last week of December covering whole of reservoir.
While 1.24 lakh birds were recorded in 2021, in 2022, 2.08 lakhs birds of 104 species of avian guests had flocked to the reservoir last year. This year, their arrival started from October.
