Mangaluru : The 12th edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival is scheduled to take place at Pilikula, Mangaluru, from January 9th to 11th, 2026. Organized by the Karnataka Ecotourism Development Board (KEDB) in partnership with the Karnataka Forest Department, this annual event aims to sensitize the public about avian diversity and promote birdwatching. By showcasing Karnataka’s rich birdlife which includes over 500 species the festival seeks to foster conservation awareness and encourage sustainable ecotourism, reducing the singular focus on tiger-centric tourism.
Key Highlights and Student Focus
The 2026 festival will feature guided birdwatching walks across diverse habitats, along with expert talks and panel discussions led by renowned ornithologists and conservationists. A significant highlight of this edition is the focused engagement of over 160 college students from Mangaluru. These participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of birdwatching and the ecological importance of birds as indicators of ecosystem health, aiming to nurture a new generation of conservation stewards.
Mascot and Regional Significance
The White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster) has been chosen as the mascot for this year’s festival. As a top predator found along shorelines and estuaries, this raptor serves as a symbol for the urgent need to protect coastal and wetland ecosystems from the pressures of urbanization and pollution. Mangaluru was selected as the venue due to its unique landscape of rivers, mangroves, and lateritic plateaus, which serve as a vital wintering ground for migratory birds along the western flyway.
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