Mugger numbers up by 5 in Ghodahada

Berhampur: There has been a marginal increase in the mugger population in Ghodahada reservoir and its adjoining water bodies near Digapahandi in Ganjam district in the last one year.
Forest department sources said currently there are 81 muggers compared 76 counter last year. Sixty-four muggers were found in 5 sq km reservoir area, 17 were spotted in the nearby 10 water bodies in the census conducted through direct sighting method, said divisional forest officer (Berhampur) Amlan Nayak after the three-day survey that concluded on Sunday.
Sixty personnel were engaged in the census, which was also carried out in the night for the first time.
Improvement in the habitat in the water bodies and protection to the animal by locals is stated to be the main reason behind the increase in population of crocodile species in the last three years, said the DFO.