Chilika Bird Festival 2026 Highlights Odisha’s Climate, Conservation, and Eco‑Tourism Potential
Bhubaneswar, Jan 6: The 6th National Chilika Bird Festival was inaugurated today at Lok Seva Bhawan, celebrating Odisha’s thriving biodiversity and eco‑tourism potential.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, serving as Chief Guest, highlighted that the annual arrival of migratory birds along Odisha’s coast reflects the state’s favourable climate and healthy ecosystem.
She underscored the importance of conserving protected forests and monitoring bird movements to safeguard Chilika’s rich biodiversity.
Minister for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, attending as Guest of Honour, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental protection, noting that Chilika Lake is both an ecological treasure and a livelihood source for local communities.
Senior officials, bird enthusiasts, and subject experts joined the event, where several publications were released, including a pocket guide documenting observations of nearly 150 million birds, a magazine on flamingos, and a booklet on bird conservation in Odisha.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Wildlife Organisation and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) to strengthen eco‑tourism development and marketing.
Tourism Commissioner Balwant Singh outlined new initiatives positioning Chilika Lake as a premier eco‑tourism destination.
The festival, blending conservation with tourism, is expected to enhance Chilika’s global prominence as a hub for migratory birds and sustainable livelihoods.
