Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday reaffirmed the Odisha government’s commitment to promoting the iconic Chilika Lake on the international tourist map.
Flagging off the first edition of the Chilika Traditional Boat Race at Barkul, she said the event marked a historic milestone for the state’s tourism and cultural promotion efforts.
Describing Chilika as a unique treasure of natural wealth Parida said the arrival of migratory birds from abroad, the boating experience, the traditional fishing and boat-rowing techniques of our fishermen, and their way of life on this vast water body leave tourists spellbound.
The Deputy CM said the state government is committed to
protecting the lake’s ecology, preserving the traditional livelihoods of fishermen, and encouraging greater influx of migratory birds. These efforts, she emphasised, will position Chilika as an even stronger international tourist destination while contributing to the vision of a developed Odisha and a developed India.
Organised by the Odisha Tourism Department, the competition saw participation from 81 traditional boat teams representing fishermen’s committees from Puri, Khordha, and Ganjam districts. On the opening day, 45 teams competed in preliminary heats over a 700-metre course on the lake. Qualifying teams will advance to the final round.
Elaborate safety measures were made, with fire services, scuba divers, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and police personnel deployed to ensure participant and spectator safety.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Khalikote MLA Purna Chandra Sethi, Khordha MLA Prashant Kumar Jagdev, Tourism Department Principal Secretary Balwant Singh, Director Dipankar Mahapatra, Ganjam District Collector Amrit Ruturaj, and several senior officials.