Migratory Birds Leave Odisha’s Bhitarkanika Early Due to Rising Temperatures

Kendrapara, Odisha: A sudden rise in temperature and an early onset of summer in Odisha have triggered the premature departure of migratory birds from Bhitarkanika National Park, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

These winged visitors, which usually arrive in late December to escape harsh winters beyond the Himalayas, have begun their homeward journey much earlier than usual. Typically, they stay until March or April before departing.

Manas Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division, stated, “The sudden increase in temperature and early summer conditions this year have prompted the migratory birds to leave ahead of their usual schedule.”

Bhitarkanika, India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sundarbans, serves as a crucial habitat for several species of migratory birds during winter. However, changing climatic patterns seem to be affecting their stay.

Experts believe that the shifting migration patterns could be an indicator of climate change, warranting further ecological studies to assess its long-term impact on Bhitarkanika’s biodiversity.