Kendrapara: The population of monsoon birds has increased in Bhitarkanika National Park with an impressive growth of around 11% this nesting season.
The nesting bird population was pegged at 1,08,639 including 62,983 chicks belonging to 11 species. In the rainy season last year, forest officials had sighted 97,866 birds and in 2019, the number was 88,614. Similarly, 91,224 birds were sighted in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, the population of monsoon birds was 1,04,490 and 1,03,853 respectively.
Large number of monsoon birds found new nesting sites in the mangrove forest at Matha Dia near Brahmani river and Laxmiprasad Dia in Durgaprasad near Bhitarkanika park. As many as 22,828 nests were counted during the census.The Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika JD Pati said abundant fish in the river and creeks besides the distance from human habitations has made the park a congenial breeding place for the birds. Monsoon season is the breeding period of many local birds.
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