New boats enhance patrolling in Chilika to protect migratory birds

Berhampur: Ahead of the arrival of migratory birds, two new boats have been introduced to intensify patrolling in Chilika, the country’s largest waterfowl habitat. Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan launched the vessels from Balugaon jetty on Thursday.

Each boat can carry over 20 people, larger than the existing ones.“The new wooden boats would be used for patrolling in the Chilika for protection of wildlife and migratory birds. One of these would be deployed in Satapada area, and the other engaged in patrolling in Nalabana bird sanctuary,” said Amlan Nayak, divisional forest officer (DFO), Chilika.“The specially designed boats constructed with the Odisha State Wetland Authority funds are larger than the existing patrolling vessels.

The new vessels have been constructed by boat-makers under the supervision of wildlife personnel. The number of patrolling boats in the Chilika has now increased to 15,” he added.Chilika attracts thousands of winged guests every winter from northern Eurasia, Siberia, the Caspian region, Kazakhstan, Lake Baikal and the remote areas of Russia and neighbouring countries. The 15.53 sqkm Nalabana sanctuary is the primary destination for most of the migratory birds.

Ornithologists expected the first flocks to arrive in early Oct, aided by recent cool weather and frequent rainfall.Last winter, Chilika hosted 11,37,759 birds of 187 species, including 10,98,813 migratory birds and 38,947 resident ones. “There was not a single bird poaching case reported in Chilika last winter due to strict,” said the DFO.Wildlife personnel arrested two persons from Nalabana last month for fishing in the prohibited area, sources said.