Odisha Government has decided to construct one more watch tower near Nalabana bird sanctuary inside the famous Chilika lake.
Presently, there are two watch towers in different places near the sanctuary, officials said.
"The new watch tower proposed to be constructed at the eastern side of the sanctuary is aimed at improving sanctuary management," said Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika Wildlife Division, B P Acharya.
Stating that the government has sanctioned around Rs 20 lakh for the purpose, he said protection staff would be deployed on the watch towers to keep a vigil during winter season when migratory birds descended in the blue lagoon.
The migratory birds, mostly from beyond the Himalayas in the Northern Eurasia, Caspian region, Siberia, Kazakh, Lake Baikal and the remote areas of Russia and neighbouring countries visit the Chilika every winter and start their homeward journey before the onset of summer.
Around 8.77 lakh of birds of 180 species visited the 1100-sq km vast Chilika lake last winter. Around 3.46 lakh of them were only sighted in the 15.69-km Nalabana bird sanctuary area inside the lake, forest officials said.
Wildlife officials had seized around 70 dead migratory birds in and near Chilika lake during last winter. At least five bird poachers were arrested, while about five others managed to flee during the raids, sources said.
Once the new watch tower was ready, surveillance measure would be strengthened and poachers could be held immediately, the DFO said.
