Dikhyaa Mohanty 
World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated every year on second Saturdays of May and October and this year it is been celebrated on October 9. The main purpose of the day is raise the global awareness about the ecological importance of migratory birds, threats faced by them, and the need to conserve them and their habitation.
This year, the theme is “Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird” which will aim to educated people about migratory birds and the need for international cooperation in order to conserve them. This year’s annual global campaign focuses on the phenomena of “bird flight” and “bird song” to connect and inspire people across the world who share a common desire to celebrate migratory birds and to team up in a global effort to protect the habitats of these birds so that they can survive. The theme appeals to individuals all over the world to use their own creativity and voices to express their shared appreciation of birds and nature.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also quoted via Twitter where he stated- “Migratory birds plays significant role in connecting ecosystems as well as people & nations. On #WorldMigratoryBirdDay, reaffirm commitment to protect #Odisha ‘s unique coastal wetlands & diverse bird habitats along migratory routes for them to feed, bread & raise their offsprings.”
In 2006, the day originated when the United Nations (UN) made the decision to raise awareness of the migratory linkages between regions across the world. Since then, a total of 118 countries have hosted and participated in the event. The World Migratory Bird Day was conceptualized as a part of the UN’s agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds. However, the initial thought of raising awareness to eliminate the threat faced by this particular species was developed in the United States in 1993.
