<p>Berhampur: A dolphin census began at the Chilika Lake in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/odisha">Odisha</a> on Monday, officials said.</p>.<p>Over 100 people, including retired government officers, researchers, students and experts, have taken part in counting the dolphins in the lake, they said.</p>.<p>The annual census is being carried out by the Chilika wildlife division in collaboration with the Chilika Development Authority.</p>.<p>A total of 18 groups, with five to six people in each, have been involved in the enumeration exercise, said Divisional Forest Officer Amlan Nayak.</p>.Kaziranga records highest tourist footfall in 20 years, dolphin sighting adds to attractions .<p>They have been equipped with maps, binoculars, spotting scopes, GPS devices and notebooks, he said.</p>.<p>Boats will not operate at the lake during the three-day exercise, he added.</p>.<p>Last year's census was marked by adverse weather conditions and data was not released by the government. In 2023, 173 dolphins of two species were found in the lake.</p>.<p>The dolphins are categorised as endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List.</p>
<p>Berhampur: A dolphin census began at the Chilika Lake in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/odisha">Odisha</a> on Monday, officials said.</p>.<p>Over 100 people, including retired government officers, researchers, students and experts, have taken part in counting the dolphins in the lake, they said.</p>.<p>The annual census is being carried out by the Chilika wildlife division in collaboration with the Chilika Development Authority.</p>.<p>A total of 18 groups, with five to six people in each, have been involved in the enumeration exercise, said Divisional Forest Officer Amlan Nayak.</p>.Kaziranga records highest tourist footfall in 20 years, dolphin sighting adds to attractions .<p>They have been equipped with maps, binoculars, spotting scopes, GPS devices and notebooks, he said.</p>.<p>Boats will not operate at the lake during the three-day exercise, he added.</p>.<p>Last year's census was marked by adverse weather conditions and data was not released by the government. In 2023, 173 dolphins of two species were found in the lake.</p>.<p>The dolphins are categorised as endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List.</p>