Chilika Gears Up for Bird Census on Jan 18, Dolphin Count Next
Bhubaneswar: The Chilika Wildlife Division has announced that the annual bird census in Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon will be conducted on January 18, 2026.
Training for enumerators is scheduled for January 17, ahead of the exercise. Teams will cover multiple ranges of the lake to record both migratory and resident bird populations.
Following the bird count, a dolphin census will be carried out from January 20–22, 2026, with special focus on the Irrawaddy dolphin, the flagship species of Chilika.
According to DFO Amlan Nayak, the census aims to generate updated biodiversity data, strengthen conservation measures, and enhance eco‑tourism planning in the region.
The initiative is part of Odisha’s ongoing efforts to monitor and protect its rich ecological heritage.
