Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the fourth National Chilika Birds Festival, organized collaboratively by the Department of Tourism, Department of Forest, and Chilika Development Authority.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
- The festival began with a captivating ‘Photo Exhibition’ grand opening.
- Patnaik praised the collective efforts of the three departments, envisioning Odisha as a prominent birding hub.
Festival Overview
- Patnaik described the festival as a “pilgrimage for over a million-winged visitors” to Asia’s largest brackish water lake, Chilika Lake.
- The three-day program, running until January 29, saw the participation of 52 selected birders from various parts of India.
Birding Excursions
- Attendees and representatives embarked on birding excursions to Mangalajodi and Nalabana, both situated in the northeastern part of Chilika.
Mangalajodi
- Known as the “Birds Paradise of Asia,” Mangalajodi attracts hundreds of thousands of “Winged Guests” during the winter.
Conservation Efforts
- State Tourism Minister Aswini Kumar Patra highlighted Odisha’s success as a birding hub, attributing it to focused wetland and bird conservation efforts.
- The latest census revealed a total count of 11.37 lakh birds across over 187 species.
OTDC Chairman’s Perspective
- Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Chairman Dr. Lenin Mohanty emphasized community-led conservation in Mangalajodi, positioning Odisha as a premier birding destination.
Vision for Odisha
- Director Nandankanan & Chief Executive Chilika Development Authority Dr. Manoj Nair expressed the joint vision of positioning Odisha as the most sought-after birding hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
State of India’s Birds
- The opening ceremony unveiled “State of India’s Birds” poster and video, presenting a scientific report assessing India’s bird species.
- The collaborative effort involved contributions from 13,000 bird watchers.
Festival Discussions
- Discussions led by various experts played a crucial role in advancing the festival’s objective of fostering awareness and appreciation for avian life around Chilika Lake.
- Experts covered scientific research, birding experiences, and visual storytelling.
Key Participants
- Director Nandankanan & Chief Executive Chilika Development Authority – Dr. Manoj Nair
- Scientist from the Wildlife Institute of India – Suresh Kumar
- Birder and Author – Panchami Manoo Ukil
- Renowned Photographer – Dhritiman Mukherjee
Conclusion
- The festival aims to synergize conservation efforts with tourism development, positioning Chilika as the soul of Odisha Tourism.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q: Who inaugurated the fourth National Chilika Birds Festival?
- A. Aswini Kumar Patra
- B. Dr. Lenin Mohanty
- C. Naveen Patnaik
- D. Dr. Manoj Nair
- Answer: C. Naveen Patnaik
Q: Where did the birding excursions take place during the festival?
- A. Chilika Lake
- B. Mangalajodi and Nalabana
- C. Nandankanan
- D. Wildlife Institute of India
- Answer: B. Mangalajodi and Nalabana
Q: What is Mangalajodi known as?
- A. Chilika Paradise
- B. Bird Haven
- C. Birds Paradise of Asia
- D. Avian Sanctuary
- Answer: C. Birds Paradise of Asia
Q: How many bird species were recorded in the latest census?
- A. 52
- B. 187
- C. 11.37 lakh
- D. 13,000
- Answer: B. 187
Q: What collaborative effort was unveiled during the opening ceremony?
- A. Joint Vision for Odisha
- B. State of India’s Birds poster and video
- C. Conservation Initiatives
- D. Birding Excursions
- Answer: B. State of India’s Birds poster and video