Over 90,000 avian visitors provide a visual treat to domestic and foreign tourists

The Flamingo Festival had a flying start on Sunday with tourists, both domestic and foreign, making a beeline for the picturesque Pulicat lake, a safe haven for migratory birds.

It was a virtual treat for bird watchers as over 90,000 birds have come from far away places to the lake this year, though belated in view of the late arrival of the northeast monsoon and the failure of the southwest monsoon.

The lake is the second largest brackish water ecosystem in the country after the Chilika lake in Odisha.

It was a memorable experience for the bird lovers who thronged the place as a large number of birds dotted the barringtonia trees, where they have built nests to raise their offspring.

The birds return to their homeland once the offspring get the capacity to withstand the long journey.

Eco-tourist hub

Launching the State festival, Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said Sullurpeta would be developed into an eco-tourist hub with better infrastructure to woo tourists in a big way.

He outlined the efforts being made by the State government year after year to augment the tourist facilities not only at Sullurpeta but also in Nelapattu, Atakanithippa and Bhimunivaripalem for the benefit of visitors to enjoy the flight of, among other birds, flamingos, pelicans and storks in their natural environment.

He commended the role of the local fishermen in protecting the ecosystem, even while eking out their livelihood.

Sand art was created by artist M. Sanath Kumar to mark the event on the theme of mother nature taking care of the migratory birds at Atakanithippa.

Twelve tonnes of sand was used to make images of migratory birds toiling for 10 hours, he said.

Another piece of art work was created using 18 tonnes of sand at Nelapattu, also in 10 hours.

It underscored the need to eliminate plastics which harmed the natural environment of birds and other beings.

The approach roads and tourist infrastructure, including sighting towers were built at a cost of ₹3 crore by the district administration.

Exhibitions were organised as part of the festival to create awareness among members of GenX on the brackish water ecosystem and the need for arresting biodiversity loss.

Cultural programmes were also held to entertain the visitors who had come from far and near to enjoy the weekend.