Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Odisha Sets Up 22 Temporary Bird Protection Camps in Chilika
The Odisha Forest Department has opened 22 temporary camps around Chilika Lake to help protect birds.
Many birds travel there in winter from places far to the north.
The camps started work on October 1.
They are expected to stay open until the end of March.
Workers will watch the lake day and night for poachers.
Boats, two mobile units, and a control room will also help with protection.
Officials expect the first visiting birds next week.
They said recent rain has made the lake’s water level high, so they will assess the birds’ arrival later.
Last winter, a survey counted more than 1.13 million birds at the lake.
The Odisha Forest Department has established 22 temporary bird protection camps in Chilika.
The camps began operating on October 1 and are scheduled to continue through the end of March.
Tangi range has 11 camps, Balugaon four, Rambha three, and Satapada and Chilika two each.
Two mobile units, a control room, about a dozen patrol boats, and round-the-clock lake patrols are part of the protection effort.
Officials expect the first migratory birds next week, but said high water levels mean their arrival will be assessed later.
- Who
- The Odisha Forest Department, with camps staffed by at least two to three people each.
- What
- It has set up 22 temporary camps and other patrol resources to protect migratory birds.
- When
- The camps began operating on October 1 and are expected to continue until the end of March.
- Where
- Chilika Lake, Odisha, India.
- Why
- To protect migratory birds and maintain a close watch against poaching.
- Total camps
- 22
- Camps began
- October 1
- Planned duration
- Through the end of March
- Largest camp deployment
- 11 camps in Tangi range
- Additional patrol resources
- Two mobile units, a control room, and around a dozen boats
- Previous winter bird count
- 1,132,200 birds of 196 species, according to a January 18 mid-winter survey