Bhubaneswar: The 6th National Chilika Bird Festival was inaugurated today at the Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. The festival is being jointly organized by the Department of Tourism and the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, said that the annual arrival of migratory birds to Odisha’s coast is a clear indicator of the State’s favourable climate and healthy ecosystem. Emphasizing the importance of protected and reserved forests, she stated that conservation of natural resources is the foundation of sustainable and responsible tourism. She also highlighted the need to closely monitor the arrival, movement and habitat of migratory birds while strengthening conservation efforts to protect Chilika’s rich biodiversity.
Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, attended the event as guest of honour. He reaffirmed that environmental conservation and protection remain a top priority of the Government of Odisha. He noted that Chilika Lake, with its natural beauty and vibrant birdlife, is not only an ecological treasure but also a vital source of livelihood for local communities. The National Bird Festival, he added, would further enhance the prominence and appeal of Chilika.
Among other dignitaries present were Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism, Balwant Singh; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Suresh Pant; and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Prakash Kumar Jha, along with senior officials, bird enthusiasts and subject experts.
During the programme, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department, Balwant Singh, outlined the key initiatives of the department and highlighted the immense opportunities and potential of Chilika Lake as a premier eco-tourism destination. PCCF & HoFF Suresh Pant emphasized Chilika’s critical role in Odisha’s wildlife wealth and underscored its significance in sustaining the livelihoods of local communities.
On the occasion, several publications were released, including a pocket guide based on observations of around 150 million birds, a magazine on the life of flamingos, and a booklet on bird conservation in Odisha.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the State Wildlife Organization, Bhubaneswar, under the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM). The MoU aims at the development, marketing and planning support of eco-tourism products in the State.
The welcome address was delivered by PCCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden Prakash Kumar Jha, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Additional PCCF (Wildlife) Manoj V. Nair.
