Over eight lakh migratory birds had congregated at the Chilika Lake this winter. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, March 24: After five months of fun and frolic, the winter sojourn of Chilika’s winged guests is coming to an end. Some have left already, others are waiting to wing their way back home.

It’s never easy for bird lovers and wildlife officials to say goodbye to the plumed beauties who bring the lake alive each winter.

But this time around, they have the satisfaction of having ensured a disease-free stay for the birds.

“The turnout was good but even more satisfying was the fact that their stay was problem-free,” said a senior official.

Sources said that more than eight lakh migratory birds congregated in the lake this winter. These included species such as pintails, gadwalls and barheaded geese.

“Birds belonging to as many as 101 species were seen in the lake,” said an official, adding that the lake, one of the largest wetlands of Asia, is an ideal habitat for these avian species, as it offers them not only the right climate but also adequate food.

The avian guests coming from as far as Caspian Sea and Baikal Lake faced an initial hitch in October when the level of water in Nalabana, the core island of Chilika and one of the best known bird sanctuaries of the world, was a bit too high for their comfort.

“This had happened because of incessant rains in the area. But gradually the level deceased and the birds started finding an easy foothold on the island,” said an official.

Officials admitted that despite a sustained campaign against it, poaching continues to pose a major threat to the migratory birds coming to the lake.

As many as 128 dead birds were seized from poachers this year till March 10. The official, who also seized six live birds, arrested 18 poachers.

This despite the fact that wildlife officials had set up 21 anti-poaching camps at different points in the lake in the hope of bringing down the incidence of poaching.

Each anti-poaching unit comprised wildlife officials and members of village bird protection committees.

“We are doing our best. We hope things will improve in the future,” said an official.

Simultaneously steps have also been initiated to improve the general health of the lake to make it more bird-friendly.

The steps include biodiversity conservation, improving the salinity level of Chilika and sensitising people living in and around the lake about the need to protect birds and other aquatic life.

Sources said the government had spent more than Rs 24 crore during the last 11 years on aspects such as biodiversity conservation and desilting of the lake.

These initiatives assume a special significance in the context of rampant prawn culture, which is making Chilika progressively shallow.

“Tons of silt also flows into the lake from a number of smaller rivers that merge into it. Desilting and dredging have become necessary to ensure that the lake does not become too shallow and sea water continues to enter it in the right measure,” said an official.