Bhitarkanika National Park - Considered one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries of Asia, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha (Orissa) is special due to reasons more than one. Housing the dynamic and salt tolerant species of trees, the Mangroves that generally grow in tropical and sub-tropical inter-tidal regions; Bhitarkanika has a luxuriant green, rich and pulsating eco-system.
Located in the estuarial region of Brahmani-Baitarani, in the north-eastern place of Kendrapara district of Odisha (Orissa), the sanctuary covers an area of 672 square kilometers of mangrove forests and wetland. Crossed by a thick network of brooks, with the Bay of Bengal on the east, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is home to over 215 species of birds, including winter migratory birds from Europe and central-Asia.
Apart from the Mangroves, another rarity that the sanctuary has to its account is the inhibition of its ecosystem by the Giant Salt Water Crocodiles and numerous varieties of other animal species. It is because of these specialties only that a vast expanse of forest around 145 square kilometers has been officially declared as the Bhitarkanika National Park. This park including mangrove forests, creeks, estuaries, rivers, accumulated land, backwater and mud flats is very significant for the ecological, biological and geomorphologic background of Odisha (Orissa).
To add more, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha (Orissa) is also rich in avifauna, reptilian and mammalian population. The mangrove forests in the sanctuary are also a good habitat for King Cobra, Water Monitor Lizard and Indian Python. An area of about 4 hectares is visited by a large number of water birds every year from June to October. The area near Suajore creek at the sanctuary is frequently visited by Asian Open Bill, Cormorants, Darters, Black Ibis, Egrets and many more.
About Bhitarkanika:
Bhitarkanika is formed from two Odia words ‘Bhitar' meaning interior and 'Kanika' meaning that which is extraordinarily beautiful. The Bhitarkanika Mangroves were Zamindari forests until 1952, when the government of Odisha abolished the Zamindari system and put the Zamindari forests in the control of the State Forest Department. But next 10-15 years saw heavy influx of outsiders and this took a heavy toll of the mangrove forests. Large scale encroachment on forest land took place due to expansion of agriculture. In 1975, an area of 672 sq. km was declared as the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary vide notification No.6958/FF AH Dtd. 22.04.1975. It is in this period when real wildlife management started. Dr. Bustard, Chief Technical Advisor to Government of India from UNDP / FAO initiated famous Crocodile Conservation Project and also reported mass nesting of olive ridley sea-turtles on the Gahirmatha coast. The Gahirmatha (Marine) Wildlife Sanctuary, which bounds the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary to the east, was created in September 1997 and encompasses Gahirmatha Beach and an adjacent portion of the Bay of Bengal. An area of 145 sq. km, the core area of Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary was declared as Bhitarkanika National Park vide Notification No.19686/F & E dated 16.9.1998 of Forests & Environment Department, Govt. of Odisha. It has much significance with regard to ecological geomorphological and biological background which includes mangrove forests, rivers, creeks, estuaries, back water, accreted land and mud flats. During 2002 the Bhitarkanika mangroves having an area of 2672 sq-km. been declared as a Ramsar site being a wetland of international importance. It lies in the north eastern coast of Odisha in between 20° 30’ to 20° 50’N latitude and 86°30’to 87°06’E longitude in Kendrapara district. It is mainly confined to the deltaic regions of river Brahmani and Baitarani.
Bhitarkanika is one such location of rich, lush green vibrant eco-system lying in the estuarine region of Brahmani- Baitarani in the North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara district of Odisha. The area is intersected by a network of creeks with Bay of Bengal on the East. The alley between the meandering creeks and rivers, houses the second largest viable mangrove eco-system of India. Its 672 sq.kms. of mangrove forest & wetland, is the abode of diverse type of fauna. The Sanctuary comprises of Mangrove Forests, meandering rivers, innumerable criss-crossed tidal inundated creeks provide last refuge to the already endangered salt water crocodile (Crocodile porosus) which is the flagship species. Besides estuarine crocodile, the Sanctuary is also rich in avifauna, mammalian and reptilian population. Theses Mangrove forests are good habitat for King Cobra, Indian Python and Water Monitor Lizard. A large number of water birds visit Bagagahan heronry and Mathadia hornry spreading over an area of approximately 08 hectare within the Bhitarkanika Forest Block near Suajore creek from the month of June to October.
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