The 6th National Chilika Bird Festival was inaugurated today at the Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
The festival is jointly organised by the Department of Tourism and the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department of the Government of Odisha.
Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida, who served as the Chief Guest, stated that the annual arrival of migratory birds on Odisha’s coast is a clear indication of the state’s favourable climate and healthy ecosystem. She emphasised the importance of protected and reserved forests, asserting that the conservation of natural resources is the foundation of sustainable and responsible tourism. Additionally, she highlighted the necessity of closely monitoring 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 the Guest of Honour. He reaffirmed that environmental conservation and protection remain top priorities for 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. He added that the National Bird Festival would further enhance the prominence and appeal of Chilika.
Other dignitaries present included Principal Secretary of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma; Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Tourism Balwant Singh; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Suresh Pant; and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Prakash Kumar Jha, along with senior officials, bird enthusiasts, and subject experts.
During the program, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department Balwant Singh outlined key initiatives of the department, highlighting the immense opportunities and potential of Chilika Lake as a premier eco-tourism destination. PCCF & HoFF Suresh Pant emphasised Chilika’s critical role in Odisha’s wildlife wealth and its significance in sustaining the livelihoods of local communities.
On this 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 to support the development, marketing, and planning of eco-tourism products in the state.
The welcome address was delivered by PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Prakash Kumar Jha, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Additional PCCF (Wildlife) Dr. Manoj V. Nair.
