January: A 3-day long fest, Odisha is all set to host its 3rd edition of National Chilika Bird Festival. This festival will take place from 8th January to 10 January. The bird festival will celebrate the presence of 10 lakh migratory birds those visit this spot during the winters.
As per Odisha Tourism, Mangaljodi is in the North-Eastern Part of Chilika and is known as the Birds Paradise of Asia. The reason behind the same is that lakhs of migratory visitors from around the world visit this spot during winters. This also an exceptional time for the photographers as birds can be seen up close during this time.
Referring to the occasion, Odisha Tourism’s tweet mentioned that the public can only visit the protected bird sanctuary Nalabana during this festival. The state tourism requested the citizens to register to witness this once-in-a-year bird festival.
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🦆3 DAYS to GO!
LAST DAY TO REGISTER for the #3rdNationalChilikaBirdFestival : 8th Jan'21 – 10th Jan'21. Stay with us as wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers and wildlife photographers explore India's Best Kept Secret at #Chilika & #Nalabana https://t.co/OKnPXICx3L#OdishaTourism pic.twitter.com/03kOuigrEQ— Odisha Tourism (@odisha_tourism) January 5, 2021
This place is a major attraction site of migratory birds, therefore, it has also been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention. A part of Chilika lake is formed by Mangalajodi freshwater wetland and Nalabana Island which makes them being identified as Important Bird Areas.
This festival is also a chance to explore colourful and exotic birds like Godwits, Sandpipers, Terns, Gulls, Plovers, rare Grey-headed Lapwings, Ruddy turnstone, Pintails, Shulkers, Ruddy Shelducks, Baillon’s Crakes, Greater Painted Snipes and slaty-breasted Rails.
Susanta Nanda, serving in the India Forest Service shared a beautiful video on Twitter quoting that Chilika is a heaven for the migratory birds.
Chilika lagoon is the heaven for migratory birds👌
The census today revealed record presence of more than 12 lakhs of wintering guest in its body. More than 11 lakh plus that was estimated last year. For 2 successive yrs we are having more than a million congregations. Cheere👍 pic.twitter.com/mdTpB4T8Sp
— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) January 5, 2021
