Annual Bird Census at Hirakud Dam’s Reservoir

Sambalpur: The annual bird census is being conducted at the reservoir of the Hirakus Dam. According to sources, over 78 persons, including forest department personnel, ornithologists and wildlife enthusiasts are involved in this bird enumeration exercise. They have been divided into 32 teams for bird counting.

The reservoir has been divided into 21 sectors. sector ranges from 10 sq km to 60 sq km depending on their geographic location. The bird census process started at 6 am on Monday and will continue till 5 pm in the 500 sq km area of the reservoir.

The bird enumeration is being done in the entire Hirakud reservoir area under the Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh districts from the Hirakud to Chhattisgarh border.

In 2023, over 3 lakh migratory birds of 108 species were sighted during the annual bird census at Hirakud reservoir.