GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 28th Jan. The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, inaugurated the 4th National Chilika Birds Festival on Saturday. He stated that the Chilika lagoon in Odisha is a sacred place for millions of different species of birds.
Patnaik made these remarks during the virtual opening of the three-day event.
He said, “The Chilika Lake, which is Asia’s largest brackish water lake, is a sacred place for millions of birds from different species who come here to rest and fly.”
The festival, organized by the Department of Tourism, Department of Forest, and Chilika Development Authority, began with a captivating photo exhibition.
The exhibition showcased the incredible work of renowned photographers such as Shakti Nanda, Umakanta Biswal, Dhritiman Mukherjee, and others.
The photographs displayed the diverse and enchanting bird species that can be found in the Chilika region. The images not only demonstrated the photographers’ skills but also highlighted the rich biodiversity of Chilika Lake. A total of 52 birders from across India attended the event.
Odisha’s Tourism Minister, Aswini Kumar Patra, stated, “While it is difficult to spot wildlife deep within our forests, Odisha can proudly claim to be a hub for birdwatching, thanks to our efforts in wetland and bird conservation, and events like the National Chilika Birds Festival.”
The minister added, “This year’s census revealed a total of 1.137 million birds from 187 different species. I hope all the participants, birders, photographers, and delegates have a wonderful time in Mangalajodi and Nalabana.”
Lenin Mohanty, the Chairman of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, mentioned that Mangalajodi in Chilika is a prime example of community-led conservation and has become an exceptional birdwatching destination.
Mohanty said, “Through initiatives like removing encroachments, conducting extensive census activities, and promoting events like the National Chilika Bird Festival, our goal is to establish Odisha as the most popular birdwatching destination in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Kumar stated, “This year, we have actively involved local boatmen in the festival to promote their participation in conservation efforts and encourage responsible tourism practices. In addition to the inaugural ceremony, the festival also includes events like bird walks at Nandankanan and Ekamra Kanan and a lecture walk.”
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