Bhubaneswar: Deepshikha Halder, a 27-year-old photographer, found the experience of watching migratory birds from close quarters an exhilarating experience.

The tourist from Calcutta was in the state to attend the first National Chilika Bird Festival hosted by the state government.

The two-day festival that concluded on Sunday aimed to showcase the diversity of migratory birds and their numbers at the brackish lake.

"Me and my friends had planned a trip to Puri. We came to know about the festival while researching for the trip and we found it interesting. We are really glad that we came here," she said.

Chilika draws over 7 lakh birds, resident and migratory, from across the world every year. The 15sqkm Nalabana sanctuary in the heart of lake is a popular tourist spot during this time.

Tourism director Nitin Jawale said: "The initiative aimed to create awareness about the state's diversity in flora and fauna. The festival also allowed the visitors get a glimpse of the migratory birds from close quarters."

There was a bird watching session where the visitors were taken to various sites in and around the site, including Nalabana, Barkul, Rambha bay and Satapada.

Ornithologists, bird watchers, photographers tourists and tour operators were all invited to the festival.

Tourism secretary Mona Sharma said: "The effective preservation of the wetland site has paved the way for holding the fest. We are sure to make this an international event in future."

A photo exhibition was also held and a documentary on the lagoon - Chillika, The Eternal Beauty - was also screened. Two books - Research and Investigations in Chillika Lake and Sylvan - were also released.

The Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti was given Rs 10,001 and a trophy for their work to protect endangered birds and making Mangalajodi a wetland of international importance.