Of the many firsts that this Maha Kumbh will boast of is a bird fest.
On February 1 and 2, a fest with 90 species of birds will be organised if the state government approves a proposal that has been sent to it.
District Forest Officer, Arvind Kumar said, “This is a bid to promote eco-tourism and also merge spirituality with nature”. The overriding theme of the 2025 Maha Kumbh is ‘Faith of Kumbh, Nature Conservation and Climate’.
The larger aim is to create a tourism circuit of forests, wetlands, historical sites and places of natural beauty.
Some of the birds found in Prayagraj are parakeets, barbets, laughing doves and Egyptian vultures.
Prayagraj is ideal to host a bird festival as it has two prominent wetlands. The 6,908 Haiderpur wetland is located just off the Ganga Barrage and is dotted with viewing huts and platforms. The more prominent Sangam wetlands serve as the breeding ground for Siberian cranes. The lesser-known Balapur pond, situated about 62 kilometres from the district headquarters, is home to the red-vented bulbul, common rock pigeon, Indian erget and House sparrow among other species.
Kumar said 90 species of birds reside in Prayagraj itself. Avian experts from the country and abroad will be invited for the fest and they will hold dialogues with seers and devotees. Schoolchildren will also be part of this fest.
This will also be an opportunity for photographers to capture some species which are rarely seen now. An exhibition of their work will also be mounted.
Of the many birds that nestle in Prayagraj’s wetlands are Siberian cranes that descend upon the sangam of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Devotees who come for a dip in the sangam also make it a point to feed these birds. Even those who are not religiously inclined make an annual visit to Prayagraj to take in the beauty of these white creatures whose advent heralds the start of winter in the state.
