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Bhitarkanika National Park - Considered one of the most
impressive wildlife sanctuaries of Asia, the
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in 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. |
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Located
in the estuarial region of Brahmani-Baitarani, in the
north-eastern place of Kendrapara district of 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 Orissa.
To add more, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in
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. |
