Bhubaneswar, Dec 10: The Odisha government will initiate its annual bird counting process next month. Forest and Environment Minister, Ganesh Ram Singh Khunti, shared this update in the State Assembly today. He mentioned that, as of November, Odisha has recorded 4,94,366 migratory birds, with 2,17,170 birds arriving at Nalbana alone.

From October to March, 21 temporary camps are set up to protect migratory birds, and two mobile teams are formed for surveillance. Each camp is staffed by three local youths and one forest guard who work day and night to ensure the safety of the birds. The minister also provided this information in writing during the Assembly session.
Khunti added that during winter, migratory birds predominantly visit various water bodies around Chilika Lake, including areas like Mangalajodi, Bhushandpur, Balipatpur, Nairi, Baulabandha, Badagotha, Tuagamhari, Gurubai, Sipayapada, Nalbana, Madhurachua, Samlanasi, Pandanasi, Panchkudi, Sunanda, and Kaluri.
The Odisha government has put measures in place to ensure the safety and protection of these migratory birds during their winter stay in the state.