Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The district administration has directed officials to organise the Flamingo Festival-2026 in a vibrant, innovative and people-friendly manner, with the aim of attracting tourists from across the state and beyond. District Collector Dr. S. Venkateshwar issued the directions while chairing a coordination meeting on Wednesday to review arrangements for the two-day festival scheduled for January 10 and 11.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Venkateshwar said the Flamingo Festival-2026 should be conducted in a way that captivates visitors and reflects a festive atmosphere. He informed that special Flamingo Festival committees have been constituted to ensure smooth planning and execution. While the festival was organised for three days last year, this year it will be held over two days at seven locations, Sullurpeta, Nelapattu, BV Palem, Atakanitippa, Irukkam Island, Sri City, and Ubbalamadugu waterfalls.

The Collector said the main venue will be set up at the Government Junior College in Sullurpeta, where stalls, exhibitions and cultural programmes will be organised. He emphasised that the Flamingo Festival is a major event and that all arrangements should be made meticulously, without any shortcomings. Officials were instructed to work in close coordination with all departments and seek the cooperation of political representatives and the media to ensure the festival’s success.

To attract tourists at the national and state levels, the Collector called for extensive publicity through social media and other platforms. He said adventure tourism activities such as aero sports and hot air ballooning are being planned at BV Palem. At Irukkam Island, boating facilities will be arranged with strict safety measures, including the mandatory availability of life jackets. He also directed officials to complete road works leading to tourist locations and ensure the development of viewpoints at Atakanitippa to enhance the visitor experience.

The Flamingo Festival, centred around the seasonal arrival of migratory flamingos in the Pulicat Lake region, has become a key platform to promote eco-tourism, conservation awareness and local livelihoods. Officials expressed confidence that with coordinated planning and comprehensive arrangements, the 2026 edition of the festival will draw wider participation and strengthen Sullurpeta’s profile as a prominent eco-tourism destination.