Kosal Discussion and Development Forum

Hirakud waits for migratory birds

November 28, 2010 at 6:15 pm sanjibkarmee Leave a comment

Following is a report by expressbuzz.com:

SAMBALPUR: Unlike previous years, there has been a delay in arrival of migratory birds to the Hirakud dam reservoir (HDR) this winter.

As winter sets in, migratory birds come down to HDR in large numbers.

Thousands of birds of different varieties migrate to this reservoir and stay for four months till February-end before flying back in the first week of March.

The winged guests from far-flung areas including the Caspian Sea, Biakal Lake, the Aral Sea, Mongolia, Central and South East Asia and Himalayan region flock to the reservoir in the first week of November every year for the winter sojourn.

The reservoir is the largest artificial lake in Asia with an area of 746 sq km and a shoreline of over 640 km.

Contrary to the trend in previous years, sufficient number of migratory birds are yet to descend on the reservoir this time.

Only a few migratory birds have come down to the HDR in the third week of this month much to the dismay of wildlife officials and bird lovers.

As per reports, over 21,000 migratory birds of about 27 varieties had flown into HDR last year whereas only a few birds of at least two varieties have reportedly been seen till date during the current year.

Nearly 20-25 species of birds are seen in the reservoir and common among them are Common Pochard, Red Crusted Pochard, Great Duck Bill, Spot Bill (Grey Duck), Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pond Heron, Painted Stork, Whiskered Tern, Indian River Tern, Gadwall and Red Wattled Lapwing and Black Winged Stilt.

Normally, the winged guests ensconce in Zero Point in Burla, Pitapali, Rampela, Budakanta, Launch Station, Balbaspur in Sambalpur district, Ubuda, Marang, Bhatlikanta, Desar, Ganakhulia, Unneishkhanda Mauza in Jharsuguda and Tamdei Rengali, Govindpur, Barduma in Ambhabhona block of Bargarh district.

On the declining trend, Assistant Conservator of Forest (wildlife) Samir Mitra said the cold is yet to completely set in the region which might be one of the reasons behind the delay.

More and more birds are likely to descend on the reservoir in the next 15 to 20 days, he added.

Entry filed under: Agriculture, Agriculture and Irrigation, Hirakud, Hirakud Dam Reservoir, Region watch, Sambalpur, Sambalpur-Chipilima-Hirakud-Huma-Kandhara-Ushakothi, Tourism Zones, Wildlife Sanctuary.