Bhubaneswar, Sep 3: The annual native bird census began across different areas of Bhitarkanika National Park and Sanctuary under the Rajnagar Forest Division in Kendrapara district on Thursday.

The three-day census is being conducted at Mathaadia, Durgaprasad Dia and Lakshmi Prasad Dia areas of the national park to assess the population and distribution of native bird species in the region. Four teams of the Forest Department have been deployed for the exercise, with each team comprising four to five forest personnel.

The census is being conducted under the guidance of experienced ornithologists. Forest Department personnel involved in the exercise were provided specialised training on Wednesday to ensure systematic identification and counting of birds. The counting operation will be carried out daily from 6 am to 12 noon during the three-day exercise.

According to sources, around 10 species of birds are being covered in the census. These include Gendalia (Asian Openbill), Dabentia, Anjana, Khaira, Panikua (Little Cormorant), Majhia Baga, Chhota Baga, Rani Baga, Kapar Khai and Andharia Baga.

The annual exercise is expected to provide important data on the bird population and help the Forest Department assess the ecological health of the Bhitarkanika ecosystem and plan future conservation measures.

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