Berhampur Forest Division Records Significant Increase In Number Of Birds

Berhampur: The Berhampur Forest Division has reported a significant increase in the number of birds in the annual Bird Census carried out in the last few days. Continuous conservation efforts have helped in the sharp rise in the number of birds in the district. This year the Berhampur Forest Division has reported 33998 birds of various species in the four forest ranges of Khallikote, Berhampur, Digapahandi and Samantiapalli. This is a sharp rise of 9700 birds compared to last year’s 24298 birds. According to the Census, Berhampur Division has 102 species of birds spread across the ranges. Last year, the number of species recorded stood at 95.

According data released by the Forest Department, the maximum number of 13999 birds have been seen in Bahuda backwaters followed by Potagada with 3095 birds. Likewise, Tampara has recorded 2880 birds. The Census recorded 2255 birds in the Humma Salt Pan and 2230 birds in Badabandha Kolathigam areas.

The various species found during the Census in the Berhampur Forest Division include Little Cormorant, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Lesser Whistling duck, Bar Headed goose, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Red Crested Poachard, Brown Headed Gull, Caspian Tern and Black Winged Stilt.

The Census has revealed that Berhampur Forest Range has 211100 birds of 87 species followed by Khallikote Range with 8507 birds belonging to 60 species. Digapahandi and Samantiapalli ranges have 1257 and 3124 birds belonging to 22 and 35 species respectively. 48 census teams carried out the Bird Census in the four ranges.