Kendrapara (Odisha), February 16 Migratory birds from the trans-Himalayan region have begun their journey back home from the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district of Odisha, after a four-month winter stay, a forest official said on Monday.
Over 1.52 lakh birds of 106 species had flocked to the Bhitarkanika wetland sites this year to escape the harsh winter, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division assistant conservator Manas Das said.
Every year, birds fly thousands of miles to Bhitarkanika to escape the severe cold conditions in northern Asia and some central European countries.
The first batch of migratory birds usually arrives in Bhitarkanika in the second week of November, but their arrival was delayed by a couple of weeks this year due to the late onset of winter, he said.
"Several batches of birds have already left Bhitarkanika, while others are preparing to leave. The birds, which flew into the water bodies and the peaceful environment of the mangrove forest of the national park from places as far off as the Himalayan region and central Europe, have been leaving Bhitarkanika almost every day," the forest officer said.
The avian species found a calm environment in the park due to improvements made to their habitats, he said.
"In the Satabhaya wetland areas, a large number of winged species gathered this winter as the forest officials protected the birds from poachers. We are very hopeful that more will arrive before the next winter," the forest officer said.