6th Chilika Bird Festival Opens, Showcasing Community Conservation And Eco-Tourism

The Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, today inaugurated the 6th National Chilika Bird Festival 2026 at the State Convention Hall, Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. The festival underscores Odisha’s leadership in conservation-led tourism, community engagement, and sustainable destination development.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism, Women & Child Development, as Chief Guest. The event was attended by MLAs, senior officials, ornithologists, conservation experts, travel trade representatives, and delegates from across India and abroad, highlighting Chilika Lake’s global significance as a premier birding and eco-tourism destination. In her address, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the ecological and cultural significance of Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a Ramsar wetland of international importance. She emphasised that the National Chilika Bird Festival has emerged as a key platform for conservation awareness, scientific knowledge exchange, and responsible tourism promotion.

Celebrating Birds, Community And Culture

The festival brings together experts, ornithologists, wildlife photographers, students, and nature enthusiasts, while showcasing Odisha’s exemplary model of community-led conservation, particularly at Mangalajodi, internationally recognised for its successful community-managed birding initiatives.

This year, the event sees enhanced international engagement, with participation from foreign tour operators and birding experts from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, England, the Netherlands, and Taiwan, further strengthening Chilika’s standing on the global birding and eco-tourism map.

A key highlight is the introduction of the Chilika Boat Race, led by the local fishing community, celebrating the lake’s cultural traditions and reinforcing the role of residents as ecosystem custodians. The festival also features capacity-building sessions for boatmen and educational programmes for school students, promoting long-term conservation stewardship.

Conservation And Collaboration Take Centre Stage

The inaugural programme also featured the release of several conservation-focused publications, 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, along with videos on Chilika Lake and satellite telemetry of Greater Flamingos. An MoU was signed between the State Wildlife Organisation and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management to support the development, marketing, and planning of eco-tourism products in the State. Members of boat associations from Mangalajodi and staff of the Chilika Wildlife Division were felicitated for their contributions to conservation.

During the event, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Tourism, Shri Balwant Singh, outlined key departmental initiatives and highlighted Chilika Lake’s immense potential as a premier eco-tourism destination. PCCF & HoFF, Shri Suresh Pant, emphasised Chilika’s crucial role in Odisha’s wildlife wealth and its importance in sustaining local livelihoods.

The 6th National Chilika Bird Festival will continue at Chilika with guided birdwatching at Mangalajodi and Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, expert talks, community-led cultural experiences, and immersive activities celebrating biodiversity, culture, and sustainability.

FAQs

What is the Chilika Bird Festival?
The Chilika Bird Festival is an annual event celebrating the rich avian biodiversity of Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, promoting conservation-led tourism, community participation, and environmental awareness.

When and where is the 2026 festival being held?
The 6th National Chilika Bird Festival 2026 was inaugurated on 8 January 2026 at the State Convention Hall, Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, with activities continuing at Chilika Lake, including Mangalajodi and Nalabana Bird Sanctuary.

Who participates in the festival?
The festival brings together ornithologists, conservation experts, wildlife photographers, students, local communities, eco-tourism operators, and international delegates from countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, England, the Netherlands, and Taiwan.

What are the main highlights of the festival?
Key highlights include guided birdwatching tours, conservation workshops, the Chilika Boat Race, cultural performances, release of publications, and capacity-building sessions for local communities.

What is the significance of Mangalajodi?
Mangalajodi is internationally recognised for its successful community-managed birding initiative and plays a key role in both conservation and sustainable tourism development.