In a bid to promote tourism and awareness, the five-day Jatinga Festival has been underway at Jatinga near Haflong, the headquarters of Dima Hasao district.
During the festival, the culture, tradition, food, craft and attire depicting the ethnicity of the district will be highlighted.
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Organised by the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) with active participation of the Dima Hasao Forest, Culture & Publicity, PWD, I&PR and Tourism departments, the event will continue till October 24.
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The event has been organized below the tri-junction bridge, NH-54 at Jatinga, which is just 15 minutes’ drive from the Haflong town.
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The chief executive member (CEM) the NCHAC, Debolal Gorlosa, inaugurated the programme on Sunday evening in presence of many dignitaries and guests.
The CEM urged the people to love the nature which is God-gifted and that the people in Dima Hasao should consider themselves fortunate for living in such a traditionally and culturally rich district as compared to others.
Sharing his concern about the decrease in flocking of migratory birds in Jatinga as compared to past years, Gorlosa urged the people to be compassionate towards the winged guests and stop killing of these birds.
He also spoke in length to maintain cleanliness and requested the people to make the place tourist friendly.
The chief conservator of forest, Muanthang Tungnung, spoke about the unique phenomenon which is widely known as the ‘bird suicides’ and explained a factual approach to it.
He stated that at the end of the monsoon months, especially on moonless and foggy dark nights between 6 pm and 9:30 pm, birds from the northern skies start to descend as they are attracted to lights.
It is the moral duty of the people to send off these guests safe without causing any harm.
Jatinga valley marks the pathway for thousands of flocks of migratory birds every year during the period from September to November and for this strange occurrence noticed, this place has become famous globally.
Haflong MLA BB Hagjer and Dima Hasaoo DC Amitabh Rajkhowa also spoke about the need to cherish the richness of nature this district has been bestowed with.
He said the unique phenomenon of the birds in Jatinga has helped Jatinga get its geographical identification in the international map.
Earlier, the principal secretary (N), NCHAC, delivered a welcome speech and spoke about the objective of organizing this event.
Others who attended are Brig. HS Sandhu, DIG, 22 Sector, Assam Rifles, Haflong; executive members, members of autonomous council and officers of various departments, media persons and the public.