Dolphin Reckoning Begins in Chilika & Bhitarkanika

Pramit Pramathes, Berhampur: The Forest Department began the census of dolphin in Chilika Lake and Bhitarkanika National Park in Ganjam and Kendrapara districts of Odisha today.

According to reports, the counting began in Chilika lake around 6 am. A total of 18 teams, comprising 133 members, are engaged in the task which will continue till 12 pm. For the first time, the dolphin census in the lake is being conducted with line track survey (LTS) GPS tracking the binocular.

The last dolphin counting in the lake was conducted in 2018. In Kendrapara, the counting began in five forest ranges – Rajnagar, Rajkanika and Mahakalapada and Gahirmatha – of Bhitarkanika National Park. As informed by the DFO of Rajnagar Wildlife Division Bikah Ranjan Das, nine teams with more than 40 members have begun the counting process.

Besides, the census has also begun in the area between the Mahanadi and Devi river mouths in Kujang forest range of Jagatsinghpur Forest Division. Earlier, the census was conducted in Paradip in May.