National Chilika Bird Festival beckons visitors to Odisha

The 5th National Chilika Bird Festival was inaugurated on Monday with much enthusiasm in Odisha by Deputy CM Pravati Parida at the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. Now in its fifth edition, the festival showcases the rich avian diversity of the Chilika Lake region, spanning Chilika, Mangalajodi, and Nandankanan.

According to official sources, the attendees include environmentalists, researchers, and bird enthusiasts. Registered photographers will enjoy exclusive access to capturing images of the birdlife at Nalabana and Mangalajodi from January 6 to January 8.

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The festival’s itinerary also features bird-watching treks (Padyatras) from January 8-10 in locations including Anandavan and the Regional Plant Research Centre. Making the event richer, the Odisha Birds' Conclave in Barakul will gather experts for talks, film screenings focused on wildlife, and various activities, which will be held on January 10-11.

Another opportunity to embark on bird-watching has been scheduled for January 12 at Nandankanan. However, the 5th National Chilika Bird Festival coincides with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, marking its significance on a national scale.

Prominent figures present at the national bird festival’s opening included the State's Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, among others.

Notably, plans are underway to replace the existing diesel boats with solar-powered boats to ensure conservation efforts in Chilika. Odisha Tourism Department is working hand in hand with the Chilika Development Authority to devise a comprehensive master plan for the region’s future and to attract more tourists to Odisha.

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“Several migratory birds throng Chilika Lake in January from far-off places such as Mongolia, Caspian Lake, and Siberia. We wanted to synchronise the event, which was previously scheduled for a different date, with NRIs coming to Odisha on the occasion of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave,” Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu said.

“NRI guests in Odisha will enjoy the enthralling beauty of Chilika,” the ACS added.