THE BHITARKANIKA NATIONAL PARK OF ODISHA (INDIA)

 THE BHITARKANIKA NATIONAL PARK OF ODISHA (INDIA)

Bhitarkanika National Park ::- Bhitarkanika National Park Is A Large National Park In Northeast Kendrapada District In Odisha In Eastern India. The Area Is (56 Sq ml) Also Been Designated As Second Ramsar Site Of The State After The Chilika Lake. Gahirmatha Beach And Marine Sanctuary Are To The East Separating Swamp Region And Mangroves From The Bay Of Bengal. The National Park And Wildlife Sanctuary Is Inundated By The Rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala It Hosts Many Mangrove Species, And Is The Second Largest Mangrove Ecosystem In India. 

The Park Is Home To The Saltwater Crocodile, Indian Python, Black ibis, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey, Chital, Darter, Cobra, Monitor Lizard, Olive Ridley Turtles Nest On Gahirmatha And Other Nearby Beaches. Bhitarkanika Has One Of The Largest Populations Of Endangered saltwater Crocodile In India And Is Globally Unique In That,10% Of The Adults Exceed 6 m Length. Nearly 1671 Saltwater Crocodiles Inhabit The Rivers And Creeks. Around 3,000 Saltwater Crocodiles Were Born During 2014 Annual Breeding And Nesting Season. Some Growing To 23 Feet In Length, Along With Other Reptiles Like The Water Monitor Lizard And The King Cobra. Spotted Deer And Wild Boars Are Abundant In The Park And Can Be Spotted At All The Major Locations.

The Bhitarkanika Mangroves Were Zamindari Forests Until 1952, When The Government Of Odisha Abolished The Zamindari System, And Out The Zamindari Forests In The Control Of The State Forest Department. In 1975, An Area Was Declared The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. The Core Area Of The Sanctuary Was Declared Bhitarkanika National Park In September 1998. Eight Varieties Of Kingfishers Are Found Here And Can Be Spotted Along The Many Creeks And Riverines Within The Park. 

The Boat Ride From Khola To Dangmal Or Vice Versa Is Highly Recommended. Khola Is One Of The gateways Into The Park. This Is Along An Artificial Creek And It Passes Through Dense Mangrove Forest Providing A Glimpse Into The Estuarine Ecosystem And Its Wealth Of Fauna. The Best Time To Travel Through This Creek Is Early Morning Or Before Sunset. Bhitarkanika Has A Very Rich Historical And Cultural Past. It Used To Be Hunting Grounds Of The Erstwhile King of Kanika. The Hunting Towers And Artificial Watering Holes Can Be Seen At Many Palces Including Bhitarkanika Trail And At Dangmal. It Is Also The Home Of Medieval Hindu Temples Which Can Be Found Dotted Throughout The Sanctuary. But The Major Attractions Remains The Wildlife Wealth. 

How To Go ::- The Sanctuary Is Well Connected Through Air Water And Rail. The Nearest Airport being Bhubaneswar And Kolkata, The Waterways Are Paved Through Chandabali, Rajnagar Abd Gupti While Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack And Bhubaneswar Connect It Through The Rails. 

When To Go ::- The Best Season To Visit The Sanctuary Is Winter Between The Months Of November To February.