Annual census for ‘winged’ visitors mulled
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 3
Goa forest department intends to have annual census for winged visitors in Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary, Chorao beginning from this year onwards.
The department will begin its first ever comprehensive three-day survey from February 8.
 “Even though we had carried out census in 2008, the department will be doing it in more comprehensive manner from this year, so as to give the correct picture of the sanctuary. Last time the department had failed in providing complete data,” sources from the state forest department stated.
Sources also confirmed that the department is planning to carry out survey annual, which will help in giving exact position of the sanctuary.
“Unless the survey is carried out we won’t be able to estimate the exact trend of the birds visiting sanctuary annually. Once this is done, we will be in better position to reveal and study all those aspects, which motivates birds towards visiting sanctuary,” sources said.
Sources also added saying that the data will help the department to plan its strategy, such as improving condition if the number of birds increases or find out the reason behind its decline.
The department will be using ‘total count’ method to survey 1.78 sq km sanctuary. Five teams under supervision of deputy conservator of forests Debendra Dalai will survey one of the country’s most popular bird sanctuaries.
“We will be having five different teams, which will move in canoes with spotting scopes looking for birds. The team will comprise of NGO representative, a person knowledgeable about birds and a department official in each group will count the birds,” sources said.