6th National Chilika Bird Festival Showcases Conservation-Led Tourism and Community Participation

Bhubaneswar: Reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to conservation-led tourism, sustainability and community engagement, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, is organising the 6th National Chilika Bird Festival at Chilika Lake, one of Asia’s most significant wetland ecosystems.

The festival aims to highlight Chilika’s exceptional ecological value while creating meaningful linkages between biodiversity conservation, local livelihoods, education and responsible tourism. As part of the programme, visitors will be offered guided birdwatching experiences at Mangalajodi, internationally recognised for its successful community-managed birding model, and at the Nalbana Bird Sanctuary, where large congregations of migratory birds can be observed within a protected wetland landscape.

Beyond birdwatching, the festival offers a rich and immersive experience rooted in the living culture of the Chilika region. Visitors can explore local handicrafts, enjoy authentic regional cuisine prepared by community groups, and take part in interactive sessions with ornithologists, conservation practitioners and wildlife photographers. These engagements are designed to deepen awareness of wetland ecology, migratory bird behaviour and the principles of responsible nature-based tourism.

The festival will be formally inaugurated at Lok Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida and Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia.

A major attraction of the festival will be the Chilika Boat Race near Panthanivas, Barkul, featuring participation from the local fisherfolk community. Regulated water sports activities will also be organised, adding an experiential dimension while promoting the sustainable and responsible use of the lagoon’s resources. The boat race at Barkul will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Law Minister Shri Prithiviraj Harichandan, celebrating traditional livelihoods and the deep-rooted relationship between Chilika and its people.

Education and outreach form a key pillar of the festival. Special interactive sessions will be organised for students and teachers from nearby schools, offering young learners hands-on exposure to birdlife, wetland ecosystems and conservation values through direct interaction with experts.

At its core, the National Chilika Bird Festival is a celebration of community-led conservation. Local communities play a central role as birding guides, hosts, artisans and cultural ambassadors, demonstrating how conservation, livelihoods and tourism can thrive together. Through this flagship initiative, the Government of Odisha continues to position Chilika as a national and international model for wetland conservation, inclusive development and sustainable, community-driven tourism.