Kulik Bird Sanctuary near here has continued to show a rise in the number of migratory guests with nearly one lakh avian species being counted this year.

The spike in the count in the sanctuary spread over 373 acres along the Kulik is attributed to a number of steps taken up by the Bengal forest department since 2014.

In 2012 and 2013, the number of birds had declined. Experts from the Zoological Survey of India visited the site and recommended reduction in noise in the sanctuary, adequate food for birds, safety of nests and the avian population as a whole among others. The recommendations were implemented, leading to a rise in the number of birds since 2014.

“Recently, we conducted a census and found that the number was close to one lakh. We will ensure that the ambience remains conducive to birds in the years to come,” said Diparno Dutta, the divisional forest officer of Raiganj.

According to sources, while 96,985 birds were counted in 2017, the figure has increased to 98,562 this year.

“The number has dropped to 60,000 or so some years ago. Given the trend, we hope it will cross the one lakh mark next year,” said a source.

The sanctuary is home to birds like night heron, cormorant, egret and open-billed stork. Every year, birds fly to Kulik in April and May, breed there and leave with fledglings in December and January.