A photograph of birds at Chilika displayed at the exhibition. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 5: Mangalajodi, the scenic wetland on the northern fringe of the Chilika lake, got its best ever display through photographs at an exhibition of 170 frames, clicked by 66 lensmen from across the nation.

The show, which started today at the regional centre of Rashtriya Lalit Kala Akademi at Kharavela Nagar, will continue till February 9.

The photographers, who have visited Mangalajodi over the years, donated all the photographs.

Photographers’ names are not mentioned on any photograph. “We knowingly did this as there are photographs from persons with national repute to students who have started some months ago. People will come and judge them according to their photographic quality, but not with the tag of the photographer’s name,” said Swetashree Purohit, a member of the Open Wildlife Lounge, the organiser of the innovative show.

Though the main aim of the exhibition is to popularise Mangalajodi among nature enthusiasts, bird watchers and wildlife lovers and raise awareness on the wetland among the general public, the aesthetically framed images are on sale to collect funds to develop the local communities in and around the wetland.

The lounge consists of a group of young enthusiasts with interests in bird watching and nature. They are from varied backgrounds such as academics, photography, journalism, architecture and wildlife activities.

“Besides the framed photographs which are priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 7,500, there are also souvenir mugs with graphics based on Mangalagodi as well as the visiting birds and they are priced at Rs 300 each,” said lounge member Subhendu Mallick.

Panchami Manoo Ukil, a leading birder of the city and a lounge member, said: “For the first time, an exhibition is being organised in a way to boost the branding of the wetland in Mangalajodi, which is 25km away from the city.”

Ornithologist Gahar Abedin said: “Recoveries of ringed birds near Mangalajodi have shown that most of the waders and shorebirds migrate to this wetland from far away destinations such as Siberia and northern China.”

“A jury of leading photographers selected 170 frames, which are on display here at the exhibition,” said Tanuja Sethi, a young photographer.