Plans for ‘Flamingo Festival’ hangs in balance for third year in a row
TIRUPATI: The much-anticipated Flamingo Festival at Pulicat Lake in Tirupati district's Sullurpet mandal appears hanging in balance for the third year in a row.
The festival could not be conducted in the previous two years owing to the Covid pandemic, but bird enthusiasts are anxiously anticipating a visual treat this time.
Nonetheless, lack of funds appears to be an impediment to the festival, and its conduct remains in doubt as of now. There is no word on the annual event, either from the forest department or the district administration.
From October through November every year, large numbers of migratory birds, notably flamingos, begin to visit areas surrounding Pulicat Lake. A variety of aquatic and terrestrial birds including painted storks, large and little egrets, grey pelicans, grey herons, northern pintails, common teal etc throng the lake and the bird sanctuary. The migration of birds here peaks in December.
The state government started the Flamingo Festival in 2001 to generate money for the tourist department. The idea was to attract bird watchers to the Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu bird sanctuary in the erstwhile Nellore, which is now in Tirupati district.
The event is usually organised by the district administration between November and January.
The district administration organises the three-day event with cultural programmes emphasizing the great value of birds flying from all over the world.
The forest and tourism departments provide required facilities for tourists to Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu bird sanctuaries.
The annual fest is held in Tada, Sullurpet and Doravarisatram regions, with bus transportation to the bird sanctuary and boating in Pulicat lake being provided by the authorities.
The last edition of the seasonal flamingo festival, held from January 3 to 5, 2020, drew almost 5 lakh visitors.
Even by the last week of December, the government is not taking a call on holding the seasonal festival. There has been no mention of it this year too, and sources said the fund crisis for the government might be affecting the holding of the festival. Though the festival would be conducted, it would be a low-key affair this time, they added.
Ramana Prasad, Tourism department's regional director, said no preliminary meeting on holding the festival was scheduled so far. “We intend to have the festival this year, and tourism minister Roja is also keen on holding it. "The preliminary meeting may be held by the end of this month and the specifics will be released soon,” he said.
