12th Karnataka Bird Festival in Mangaluru from January 9 to 11

The Karnataka Ecotourism Development Board and Forest Department will hold the 12th edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival in Mangaluru from January 9 to 11.

Talking to reporters on January 7, Board Chairperson Shalet Pinto said the last time the Karnataka Bird Festival took place in Mangaluru was in 2018, when B. Ramanath Rai was the Forest Minister. This festival allows avian aficionados to get involved in spotting birds at 12 locations in Mangaluru and gain insights from veteran bird watchers.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony S Mariyappa said around 420 bird species have been spotted in Mangaluru. He said around 40 species of migratory birds have been sighted in Mangaluru which is a healthy number.

At the festival, about 250 participants, including students, will engage in bird watching. They will be divided into 10 teams, each covering 12 designated locations such as coasts, wetlands and estuaries. A prize will be awarded to the team that records the most bird species.

The White Bellied Sea Eagle, found on the coastline, will be the mascot of the festival. The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher was the mascot of the 2018 edition of the festival.

Speaker U.T. Khader, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre and District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao will participate in the inauguration programme of the festival, which will be held at Bharat Scouts and Guides Bhavan, Pilikula, on January 9 at 11 a.m.