Chilika boat services suspended for three days for dolphin census

Satapada: Boat services in Chilika Lake will be halted for three days to facilitate a dolphin population count. The suspension will be in effect from 6 am to 12 noon on February 20, 21, and 22, affecting routes in Satpada and surrounding areas near Brahmagiri in Puri district of Odisha.

The Forest Department has ordered the stoppage to ensure smooth and undisturbed counting of dolphins in the lake.

Balugaon Chilika Wildlife Forest Division DFO Amlan Nayak said that 18 teams have been formed for the census – 10 from Balugaon and 8 from Satpada. Each team will consist of 5 to 6 enumerators who will receive training at the CDA office in Badakul.

The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to monitor and conserve the aquatic wildlife in Chilika.

A letter has been sent to all motor boat associations operating here, notifying them of the temporary suspension. The department aims to complete the counting process within the specified hours and resume normal boat operations afterward.