National Chilika Bird Festival To Kick Off At Mangalajodi From January 27

National Chilika Bird Festival To Kick Off At Mangalajodi From January 27

Bhubaneswar, January 19: The first National Chilika Bird Festival at Mangalajodi will begin from January 27. The two-day festival is likely to be attended by scientists, bird experts, photographers among others from all across the country.

The festival is being organised by Forest and Environment Department, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation and Chilika Development Authority.

Announcing about the festival, Odisha Forest and Environment Secretary Suresh Mahapatra, said, “This is for the first time such a festival is being organised in the state. Chilika receives highest congregation of birds in India, and we believe such festival will help to boost the place. The studies between 2001 and 2017 in association with Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) reveals that the lake supports between 7,00,000- 9,50,000 water birds annually. 228 species of birds have been recorded in Chilika during various studies out of which 129 are water birds while others are wetland dependent.”Tourism Director Nitin B Jawale, said, “Since the bird festival is being organised for the first time, we have fixed a nominal amount. There will be online booking which can be done by visiting the Facebook and Twitter page of the Forest Department and Tourism Department. We are expecting around 500-600 participants which would include scientists, bird experts, photographers among others.”

The department is planning to make it an annual festival and include it in the festival calendar of the Tourism Department. “We will fix a permanent date so that from next year, it will become a regular festival like Konark Festival or Mukteshwar Festival of the department. A special tour package could be planned to benefit tourists during the festival,” said Jawale.

“During the event, a workshop and technical session will be held at the venue where various experts will discuss about measures that needs to be taken for the protection and development of Mangalajodi and Chilika,” he added.

When asked about developmental works at Mangalajodi, Jawale said, “With such kind of festival being held at Mangalajodi, we feel that more private investment will happen in and around the lake in future which would help in further development of the area. We are also planning for accommodation development so that in future, tourists can have a night stay at Mangalajodi. At present, the construction work of 12 cottages is going on which we hope will soon be completed.”

A photography and painting exhibition will also be held at the venue. That apart, stalls of BNHS and other allied organisations will display the method of ringing birds. One group/ individual will be rewarded for their contribution to the conservation of avifauna in and around Chilika.

On the second day of the festival, delegates will be taken around in five different routes to explore the rich biodiversity of Chilika.Avinash Padhi, a wildlife photographer said, “It is a good initiative and being a wildlife photographer, I will be happy if it continues as an annual festival. The event would attract many bird enthusiasts like me from across the world and they would love to explore the beauty of the place.”

Chief Executive of Chilika Development Authority Susanta Nanda who also attended the press meet informed about the five routes through which the participants would be able to explore Chilika.