Chilika Bird Festival and Boat Racing Competition Conclude, Signal New Tourism Push

Bhubaneswar: The three-day Chilika Bird Festival and Boat Racing Competition, held at Mangaljodi and Barkul in Chilika, concluded on a successful note, marking a fresh approach to tourism promotion in Odisha through community-led boat racing and nature photography initiatives.

The valedictory ceremony was graced by Minister for Law, Works and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, the Minister described Chilika Lake as one of the world’s most significant tourism destinations and underscored the importance of innovative initiatives such as boat racing in enhancing its appeal. He announced that the State Government plans to invest around ₹200 crore over the next three years for the development of fisheries resources, waterways, transport facilities, fish jetties and tourism infrastructure in the Chilika region.

Expressing confidence in the long-term impact of these initiatives, Harichandan said such efforts would play a crucial role in attracting lakhs of tourists to Chilika in the coming years. He also appreciated the proactive role of the Tourism Department in organising the boat race, terming it a commendable step towards experiential tourism.

The boat racing competition at Chilika Lake witnessed keen and spirited participation from fishermen groups across the region. Panidwar PFSC, Chilika, secured the first position, followed by Maa Domani Devi PFCS-2 in second place, while Bindhyagiri PFCS, Khordha, claimed the third position.

As part of the 6th National Chilika Bird Festival, a photography competition was also organised, drawing an enthusiastic response from the photography community. A total of 80 photographers submitted around 400 photographs, capturing the rich avian and natural diversity of Chilika. Out of these, 35 photographs were shortlisted for exhibition at Mangaljodi. In the Amateur category, Prabir Kumar Das emerged as the winner.

Among the dignitaries present were Saroj Kumar Swain, Additional Secretary, Tourism Department; Amlan Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika; and the Additional Superintendent of Police, Khordha. Other notable attendees included P.K. Das, retired IRS officer; Jyoshna Behera, Chairperson, Chilika Block; Amarendra Ramsingh, Chairperson, Banapur Block; Arun Pattnaik, Vice-Chairperson; along with senior officers from various departments.

The successful conclusion of the festival reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to conservation-led, community-driven tourism, blending ecological awareness with cultural and livelihood opportunities around Chilika Lake.