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The 4th National Chilika Birds Festival was today inaugurated by Honourable Chief
Minister of Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik, eloquently described the destination as “a pilgrimage
for over a million-winged visitors of varied species, which undertake flights to the mighty but calm
Chilika Lake – Asia’s largest brackish water lake.” Shri. Patnaik applauded the efforts of
Department of Tourism, Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change and Chilika
Development Authority for having organized the event “which promises to add another feather in
Odisha’s hat – a soaring birding hub”.
The festival, organized by the Department of Tourism, Department of Forest, and Chilika
Development Authority kicked off in grandeur with the inauguration of a captivating Photo
Exhibition. This visual spectacle showcased the extraordinary talents of renowned photographers
such as Shri Shakti Nanda, Shri Umakanta Biswal, Dhritiman Mukherjee, and other eminent
photographers.
The gallery unfolded a mesmerizing array of photographs, capturing the diverse and
enchanting avian wonders that grace the Chilika region. The images not only reflected the skill of
the photographers but also served as a powerful testament to the rich biodiversity of Chilika Lake.
The three-day program witnessed the participation of 52 selected birders from across
India.
Offering a gist of the focused conservation campaign by the government, Tourism Minister
Shri Aswini Kumar Patra said, “While the elusive wildlife deep within our forests evades our
sights, Odisha can proudly claim to be a birding hub – thanks to pioneering efforts in wetland and
bird conservation and special initiatives like the National Chilika Birds Festival. This year’s census
has revealed a total count of 11.37 lakh birds across over 187 species. I wish all the participants,
birders, photographers, and delegates to have a great time in Mangalajodi and Nalabana.”
OTDC Chairman Dr. Lenin Mohanty applauded Odisha Tourism for its stellar handling of
the tourism ecosystem through unmatched promotion and publicity. “Mangalajodi in Chilika is a
trailblazing example of community-led conservation, establishing itself as an unmatched birding
destination. From initiatives like removing encroachments to recent extensive census activities and
promotional campaigns like the National Chilika Bird Festival, our collective goal is to position
Odisha as the most sought-after birding hub in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Dr. Mohanty.
Additional Chief Secretary Shri Surendra Kumar, IAS offered a perspective on the strategic
commonalities between eco-conservation and tourism and reminisced on the history of the Chilika
Bird Festival. “This year, we have engaged local communities of boatmen in the festival ensuring
their active involvement in conservation efforts that foster a sense of responsibility towards
sustainable tourism practices. As I speak at the inaugural ceremony, the festival also has parallel
events like the Bird Walks at Nandankanan and Ekamra Kanan and Lecture Walk,” said Shri
Kumar.
Articulating the strategic agenda of the Department of Tourism, Director Tourism, Shri. Sachin
Ramchandra Jadhav, IAS said in his welcome address, “The representation of birders across the
nation makes the 4th National Chilika Birds Festival a grand success. Each participant is a brand
ambassador for us. Next year we will soar higher, with foreign participants joining in large
numbers. I welcome everyone to participate in parallel events like Birds Walks, Lecture Talks, and many more to get a vivid idea of Odisha’s biodiversity as a whole.”
Complementing the joint vision, Director Nandankanan & Chief Executive Chilika
Development Authority Dr. Manoj Nair said in his vote of thanks, “It will not be an exaggeration to
say that the soul of Odisha Tourism resides in Chilika. Our conservation efforts will continue to be
synergized with our tourism development efforts.”
The State of India’s Birds poster and video was launched at the inaugural ceremony. The
State of India’s Birds video encapsulated the scientific report that assesses the birds of India. This
periodic assessment examines the geographic distribution, abundance trends, and conservation
status of the majority of bird species commonly found in India. 13,000 bird watchers have
contributed to the report.
The talks by Director Nandankanan & Chief Executive Chilika Development Authority Dr.
Manoj Nair, Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India Dr Suresh Kumar, Birder, and Author Panchami
Manoo Ukil and Eminent Photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee contributed significantly to the
festival’s goal of promote awareness and appreciation for the rich avian fauna around Chilika
Lake. Their collective expertise spanned scientific research, birding experiences, and visual
storytelling, creating a well-rounded and engaging program for all participants.
The Parallel Session on Citizen Science and Bird Conservation brought together a diverse
group of delegates passionate about leveraging citizen engagement for the preservation of avian
biodiversity. This workshop provided a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the
exploration of innovative approaches to integrate citizen science into bird conservation efforts.
Over the next two days, participants and delegates will undertake birding tours to
Mangalajodi – Nalabana.
