Itanagar, Feb 9: The 5th Edition of the Eaglenest Bird Festival was officially inaugurated today, with Education and Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona presiding over the ceremony. The event was also attended by MLAs Tenzin Nyima Glow and Tseten Chombay, marking a strong show of support for the festival’s mission of environmental conservation through education.

The festival, held at the foothills of the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary—recognized as the world’s second-largest biodiversity hotspot—aims to inspire younger generations to connect with nature while inviting adventurers to explore its extraordinary flora and fauna.

This year’s edition saw participation from 62 students representing institutions across the Northeast, including the University of Science and Technology (Meghalaya), Rajiv Gandhi University (Itanagar), Royal Global University (Guwahati), Government College (Bomdila), Rangapara College (Assam), Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan College (Nalbari), and Pandu College (Guwahati). Their involvement underscores the festival’s growing reputation as a platform for youth engagement and environmental awareness.

A highlight of the inaugural function was the spirit of coexistence and cultural unity, with the Adivasi and Boro communities from Assam joining the Shertukpen and Bugun communities of Arunachal Pradesh in a celebration of shared heritage.

To enrich the academic and ecological discourse, the festival has engaged experts from across India, including the Sikkim Butterfly Society, the Lobita Morang & Afrid Team, and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment (ATREE). Noted Human–Elephant Conflict researcher Dr. Dipankar Barman is also present to share insights into wildlife management and ecological balance.

The Eaglenest Bird Festival continues to strengthen its position as a unique blend of conservation, education, and cultural harmony in the Northeast.