Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa - भितरकनिका वन्यजीव अभयारण्य
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Known as one of the second largest viable stretch of mangrove forest in the Indian mainland, Bhitarkanika sanctuaries best attractions include the aqua ones, specifically speaking - Estuarine Crocodile and Pacific Ridley Sea Turtles.
Olive Ridley Turtle Bhitar Kanika National Park in Balesore district in an area of 167 Sq.km is better known as a marine park. The park with its mangrove forests in the rivers Brahmani- Bhaitarani Delta and creeks, estuaries, back water, accreted land and mud flats was mainly established to protect the saltwater crocodile and other marine inhabitants of the region. It was notified as a Crocodile sanctuary in 1975 and a crocodile breeding centre has been established by the Orissa Government.
The park contains tidal swamp forests consisting of an abundance of mangrove, saltwater and brackish water mixed species such as Causarinas, Thespia, grasses like indigo bush etc. It is the second largest viable stretch of mangrove forest in the Indian mainland. The Fauna of the park include Olive ridley turtles (sea turtle), saltwater crocodiles, wild pigs, rhesus monkeys, leopard, wild boar, hyena, jungle cat, sambar, giant squirrel, water monitor, chitals, king cobra, python, fishes besides insects and other micro fauna. Birds found are strokes, ibis, white necked sea eagle and fish eagle etc. The best season for visiting the park is winter (November to February). The park situated along the Gahiramatha Coast is a haven for thousands of marine species especially the Olive ridley turtles which come here to lay eggs during the nights in winter. The giant Pacific Ridley sea turtles believed to come as far away as South America nest on the Gahirmatha Coast.
Chandbali to Kalibhadrain - 2 hrs. Rajnagar to Dangmal -3 hrs. Gupti to Dangmal - 1 ˝ hrs. Gupti to Ekakula - 3 hrs. Dangmal to Ekakula - 4 hrs.
Mangrove forest Division,
At/Po. Rajnagar, District - Kendrapara,
Pin - 754225
Assistant Conservator of Forest (W.L.)
Chandibali- 756133
Phone: 06729-72460
`` Fax: 06729-72464
E-mail : Contact Us
Conservator of Forest (W.L.)
Ex-office Director, Nandankanan
Mayur Bhawan, Sahid Nagar
Bhubaneswar - 751 004
Best time to visit: November to February
Nearest town: Chandbali (35 km)
Main attraction: Olive Ridley turtle, Crocodile
About Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
Mangorves are salt tolerant, complex and dynamic eco-system that occur in tropical and subtropical inter-tidal regions. 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 Orissa. 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, provides home to well over 215 species of birds including winter migrants from central-Asia and Europe. Giant salt water crocodiles and variety of other Wildlife inhabitate in this eco-system which form Asia's one of the most spectacular Wildlife area.Olive Ridley Turtle Bhitar Kanika National Park in Balesore district in an area of 167 Sq.km is better known as a marine park. The park with its mangrove forests in the rivers Brahmani- Bhaitarani Delta and creeks, estuaries, back water, accreted land and mud flats was mainly established to protect the saltwater crocodile and other marine inhabitants of the region. It was notified as a Crocodile sanctuary in 1975 and a crocodile breeding centre has been established by the Orissa Government.
The park contains tidal swamp forests consisting of an abundance of mangrove, saltwater and brackish water mixed species such as Causarinas, Thespia, grasses like indigo bush etc. It is the second largest viable stretch of mangrove forest in the Indian mainland. The Fauna of the park include Olive ridley turtles (sea turtle), saltwater crocodiles, wild pigs, rhesus monkeys, leopard, wild boar, hyena, jungle cat, sambar, giant squirrel, water monitor, chitals, king cobra, python, fishes besides insects and other micro fauna. Birds found are strokes, ibis, white necked sea eagle and fish eagle etc. The best season for visiting the park is winter (November to February). The park situated along the Gahiramatha Coast is a haven for thousands of marine species especially the Olive ridley turtles which come here to lay eggs during the nights in winter. The giant Pacific Ridley sea turtles believed to come as far away as South America nest on the Gahirmatha Coast.
Bhitarkanika National Park
An area of 145 Sq.kms. have been notified as Bhitarkanika National Park vide Notification No.19686/F & E dated 16.9.1998 of Forests & Environment Department, Govt. of Orissa. 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. Bhitarkanika National Park is the core area of Bhitarkanika Sanctuary.Bhitarkanika Sanctuary
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary was declared vide notification No.6958/FF AH Dtd. 22.04.1975 over an area of 672 square kilometers. The Sanctuary comprising Mangrove Forests meandering rivers, innumerable criss-crossed tidal inundated creeks provide last refuge to the already endangered salt water Crocodile (Crocodile Porosus). Besides estuarine Crocodile, the Sanctuary is 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 which is an area of approximately 4 hectare. within the Bhitarkanika Forest Block near Suajore creek from the month of June to October. Most of the Birds are Asian open bill. Egrets. Black Ibis, Cormorants, Darters & etc.How to Reach
Air
The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, about 200km. There are regular flights which connect Bhubaneshwar to other places.Rail
Nearest railhead is at Cuttak (161km) and at Bhadrak ( about 100km from the park) with regular trains to Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta and many other places.Road
Chandabali, at a distance of around 35 km, is the nearest town and connected to most of the places in the state by a good road network. There are many buses between Calcutta and Chandabali, which cover the whole distance in 14 hours. Cuttak is at a distance of 161km from the park.Where to stay
Forest rest houses, Dorms and cottages with limited facilities are available at Dangmal, Ekabula and Gupti. One needs to make advance bookings for accommodation in these rest houses due to their limited availability from The Divisional Officer, Rajnagar. Log cabins on sea are available at Habalakhati.Ferry Services
From Chandabali, the nearest town, a ferry takes one and a half hours to reach Nalitapatia. One can take boats from Nalitapatia to Dangmal situated at a distance of 6 km.Chandbali to Kalibhadrain - 2 hrs. Rajnagar to Dangmal -3 hrs. Gupti to Dangmal - 1 ˝ hrs. Gupti to Ekakula - 3 hrs. Dangmal to Ekakula - 4 hrs.
Contacts
Divisional Forest Officer,Mangrove forest Division,
At/Po. Rajnagar, District - Kendrapara,
Pin - 754225
Assistant Conservator of Forest (W.L.)
Chandibali- 756133
Phone: 06729-72460
`` Fax: 06729-72464
E-mail : Contact Us
Conservator of Forest (W.L.)
Ex-office Director, Nandankanan
Mayur Bhawan, Sahid Nagar
Bhubaneswar - 751 004
General Information
Place: Balasore district, OrissaBest time to visit: November to February
Nearest town: Chandbali (35 km)
Main attraction: Olive Ridley turtle, Crocodile
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