Annual count: 155 Irrawaddy dolphins spotted in Chilika 

BHUBANESWAR:  Even as the census conducted last month by Wildlife Wing had put the number of Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika at 114, Chilika Development Authority (CDA) spotted 155 dolphins in the lagoon during the annual monitoring on Saturday.Chief Executive of CDA Susanta Nanda said the range of population is tagged between 145-160 and the number compares favourably with 152 dolphins sighted by Wildlife Wing during the recent annual census.

“The sighting is more compared to last year. Around 100 dolphins were sighted during the annual census. The dolphins are now seen at different sectors of the lake where they were not seen before, due to removal of obstruction helping in their migration,” he said.While the demolition of prawn gheries has raised hope of eco-tourism at different locations, high degree of cautions is necessary to preserve them in perpetuity by taking up responsible tourism within the carrying capacity for the endangered animals.

The annual monitoring was conducted from 6 am to 12 noon with a view to  map out the number and extent of the flagship species and study the hydrological impacts of removal of pen culture. Altogether 28 teams consisting of officials from office of PCCF Wildlife, DFO, Wildlife Chilika, CDA, Honorary wildlife warden, NGOs and local motor boat association participated. The plying of motorized boats of fishermen and tourist boats was stopped during the period making the monitoring process successful.

During monitoring it was found that the use of zero nets for fishing has reduced significantly, but it still poses maximum threat to the ecosystem of the lake as the nets have been hastening siltation. Unscientific and illogical lying of khandas is also reducing the migratory path of the juveniles and adding to siltation.