The coastal city of Mangaluru is set to become a hub for nature enthusiasts as the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board and the state's forest department launch a major three-day avian event. The 12th edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival will take place at Pilikula Nisargadhama, running from Friday through Sunday, with a clear mission to foster environmental stewardship.
Festival Aims and Inauguration
Announcing the details, Shalet Pinto, Chairperson of the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board, stated that the core objective of this year's festival is to drive awareness about bird conservation and the broader need for environmental protection. The initiative seeks to leverage eco-tourism as a powerful tool for education and community engagement.
The festival will be formally inaugurated by Eshwar B Khandre, the Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment. This underscores the government's support for blending conservation efforts with sustainable tourism practices.
Mascot and Participant Engagement
Highlighting the rich avian biodiversity of the Karnataka coast, the organizers have chosen the majestic white-bellied sea eagle as the official mascot for the 2024 festival. This powerful bird of prey symbolizes the region's unique ecological wealth.
Anthony Mariappa, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for the Mangaluru division, emphasized that the event is designed as a comprehensive platform for outreach and knowledge exchange. It will bring together birdwatchers, seasoned naturalists, students, and conservation advocates from across the region.
A significant focus will be on hands-on, field-based learning. More than 180 students from six different colleges are scheduled to participate. Their involvement is crucial for understanding the indispensable role birds play in maintaining robust and healthy ecosystems.
Extensive Bird Spotting Locations
The festival is not confined to a single venue. Organizers have meticulously identified twelve distinct locations across various habitats to maximize bird spotting and documentation opportunities. These sites offer a cross-section of the region's ecosystems:
- Wetland Sites: Kenjar, Kavoor, Polali, and Jokatte.
- Forest Patches: The Pilikula Nisargadhama area itself and the campus of Mangalore University.
- Shoreline Locations: Mukka and Sasihitlu.
- Estuarine Ecosystem: Bettampady.
This diverse itinerary ensures participants can experience and document a wide array of bird species in their natural settings, from wetlands and forests to coastlines and estuaries. The three-day festival promises to be a significant step forward in promoting eco-tourism while cementing the importance of avian conservation in the public consciousness.
