Chilika, Jan 20: The annual Irrawaddy dolphin census in Chilika Lake officially began today and will run for three days, till January 22. The census is a key effort in monitoring the health of the lake's ecosystem and ensuring the conservation of the endangered species.

Eighteen specialized teams have been deployed across the lake to carry out the survey. These teams consist of 5-6 members each, including a forest department official, a Chilika Development Authority (CDA) representative, an OUAT student, a motor-boat operator, a social worker, and a media representative.

The counting is being carried out across four main sectors of the lake:

Satapada (four areas)

Central Sector (six teams)

Southern Sector (four teams)

Northern Sector (one team)

Outer Channel (seven teams)

Survey operations run from 6 am to 12 noon each day, with all vessel traffic, including Bhasa pola, ferry services, ghat boats, and tourist boats, being suspended to avoid disturbing the dolphins during the census period.

To collect data, the teams are using binoculars, GPS units, and cameras, following the line-transect method, which has been the standard approach for previous surveys. In the 2025 census, 154 Irrawaddy dolphins and 19 bottlenose dolphins were counted, which provides an important indication of the ecological health of Chilika Lake.

The primary goal of the census is to gather updated population data, which will aid in conservation planning and eco-tourism management in the region. The data collected will be vital in shaping efforts to protect the lake's biodiversity and the dolphins that inhabit it.