Bhubaneswar, 4 January (H.S.): The 5th National Chilika Bird Festival will take place from January 6 to 12.
During a press briefing , Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Shri Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia highlighted the festival's purpose and significance. He affirmed Odisha's commitment to conserving its invaluable natural heritage and biodiversity. This National Chilika Bird Festival aims to further enhance the beauty, biodiversity, security, and the rich heritage of community-led conservation of Chilika Lake. The occasion will be graced by Deputy Chief Minister, Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism Department Smt. Pravati Parida, who will serve as the chief guest at the festival, held at the Lok Seva Bhavan Convention Centre. The inauguration ceremony on January 6 will also feature internationally renowned bird experts Dr. Asad Rahmani and Dr. Suresh Kumar, along with esteemed wildlife photographer Dhrutiman Mukherjee.
Every winter, the arrival of thousands of migratory birds enhances the beauty of Chilika Lake. While the Tourism Department typically organises this annual festival, this year the responsibility has been entrusted to the Forest (Wildlife) Department, as the Tourism Department is engaged with Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. In preparation for the festival, a quiz, poster, and painting competitions have been conducted among high school and university students in the Chilika region and Bhubaneswar, with awards to be presented during the inauguration ceremony. Sixty registered photographers will have the opportunity to observe and photograph birds in Nalban and Mangalajodi from January 6 to 8. The festival will also showcase a bird art exhibition, live art displays, and poster exhibits created by students from BK Arts, Khallikote College, and Utkal University of Culture, all of which will serve as highlights of the event. Local villagers, wildlife photographers from Odisha, and school students will also participate.
In addition, documentary films on wildlife, photo exhibitions, and art displays will be hosted for school students at the Regional Science Museum from January 7 to 12, daily from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Bird watching walks are scheduled to take place from 7 am to 8:30 am at Forest Park, the Regional Plant Research Centre, and Anandavan from January 8 to 10. Furthermore, the Odisha Bird Conclave will be held at Barkula, Chilika, on the night of January 10 through January 11, where bird watchers and researchers from Odisha will engage in discussions and visit the Nalbana, as informed by Minister Shri Singkhuntia.
Present at the press conference were Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Shri Prem Kumar Jha, Director of Nandankanan and Chief Executive Officer of Chilika Development Authority Dr. V. Nair, Additional Secretary Shri Deben Pradhan, and Additional Secretary Shri Dharam Hansda, who provided extensive information to the media.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
