Chilika Bird Festival Concludes with Thrilling Boat Race, Signals New Tourism Push in Odisha

The three-day Chilika Bird Festival and Boat Racing Competition concluded successfully at Mangalajodi and Barkul, charting a new course for tourism promotion in Odisha through a blend of traditional boat racing and nature photography.

Minister Highlights Chilika’s Global Tourism Potential

The valedictory ceremony was graced by Mr Prithviraj Harichandan, Hon’ble Minister for Law, Works and Excise, as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, the Minister described Chilika Lake as one of the world’s most important tourism destinations and stressed the need for innovative initiatives such as boat racing to further enhance its appeal.

He announced that around ₹200 crore will be invested 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, the Minister said they would play a vital role in attracting lakhs of tourists to Chilika every day in the coming years. He also lauded the Tourism Department for proactively organising the boat race, calling it a commendable step.

Fishermen Compete in High-Energy Boat Race

The boat racing competition at Chilika Lake witnessed intense and spirited competition among fishermen groups from the region.

• First Place: Panidwar PFSC, Chilika

• Second Place: Maa Domani Devi PFCS–2

• Third Place: Bindhyagiri PFCS, Khordha

The event not only showcased traditional skills but also added a vibrant sporting dimension to the festival.

Photography Competition Showcases Chilika’s Natural Beauty

As part of the 6th National Chilika Bird Festival, a photography competition was organised, drawing enthusiastic participation from across the country.

• Participants: 80 photographers

• Entries: 400 photographs

• Selected for Exhibition: 35 photographs at Mangalajodi

In the Amateur Category, Prabir Kumar Das secured the first position, earning accolades for his compelling capture of Chilika’s avian and natural diversity.

Dignitaries Grace the Occasion

Several eminent dignitaries attended the concluding ceremony, including Saroj Kumar Swain, Additional Secretary, Tourism Department; Amlan Nayak, DFO, Chilika; and the Additional SP, Khordha.
Other prominent attendees were P.K. Das, Retired IRS Officer; Jyoshna Behera, Chilika Block Chairperson; Amarendra Ramsingh, Chairperson, Banapur Block; Arun Pattnaik, Vice-Chairperson, along with senior officers from various concerned departments.

A New Direction for Tourism in Odisha

The successful conclusion of the Chilika Bird Festival and Boat Racing Competition has reinforced Odisha’s commitment to innovative, community-linked tourism, positioning Chilika as a vibrant destination that seamlessly blends ecology, culture and adventure.