The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha has seen an increase in its bird population this year, according to the Odisha forest department. The staff counted a total of 1,39,959 birds in the park, compared to 1,38,107 last year.

• While the number of birds has increased, the diversity of species has decreased compared to last year, with the park seeing 140 species of birds this year as opposed to 144 last year. However, many rare and endangered species were spotted during this year’s count.
• The Park obtained the status of Ramsar site in 2002. It was the second area to get the status after Chilika lake.