Mangalajodi, epithet as ‘The Birds’ Paradise’ hosts lakhs of birds in its marshy waters. During winter huge number of migratory birds arrive Mangalajodi, a village under Tangi block of Khurda district in Odisha. The tourist place is located on the northern banks of Chilika Lake.
Chilika hosts over 160 species of migratory birds every year. This year over 2.5 lakh migratory birds have arrived in Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary. These migratory birds take flights from the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, some remote parts of Russia, Mongolia, Central and Southeast Asia, Ladakh, and the Himalayas. The lake is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds.
The birds migrate to Chilika in search of food. The lake is abundant with food for these winged visitors. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian bird species find their food in Chilika.
Subash Behera, Forest officer wildlife division of Tangi said, “Over 2.5 lakh migratory birds have arrived in Mangalajodi. A lot of visitors have started to visit the village to get a glimpse of these birds. The department has taken every major step to ensure birds’ safety and to protect them from poaching.”
Madhu Behera, Forest safety officer of Mangalajodi said, “The visitors are sent with guides and forest safety guidebooks to safely visit the sanctuary.”
Many nature lovers arrive at Mangalajodi to watch the movement of colourful birds in a chilled atmosphere. However, some visitors suggest that the government should provide more facilities to visitors. There should be more infrastructural development in the region.
Wildlife photographer Ashish Kumar Jena says, “More facilities should be provided to tourists here. Especially the government should focus on transport and communication so that more visitors will be attracted.”
Ms Kalinga