Chilika: With the onset of winter began chilling the entire atmosphere, the migratory birds arrived in Chilika, Asia's largest brackish Water Lagoon.

Around 6,000 birds were spotted in Nalabana Island by Thursday. Over 30,000 birds reached the water lagoon, which is known as paradise of migratory birds, sources in Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary said.

While the birds belonging to more than 160 genres used to flock the lake in winter every year, only 44 genres of migratory birds have arrived in the first phase so far.

As part of precautionary measure to check poaching in the area, 19 camps have been set up in five forest ranges -- Balugaon, Tangi, Rambha, Satapada and Chilika -- and one mobile squad has been formed.

Besides, several awareness programmes about safety of birds in villages located near Chilika coast have been undertaken, a senior official said.