Bhitarkanika National Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Bhitarkanika National Park
iucn_category = II


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location = Orissa, India
nearest_city = Kendrapara
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area = 672 km².
established = 1975
visitation_num = NA
visitation_year = 2005
governing_body = Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India

Bhitarkanika National Park is a national park located in the Kendrapara District of Orissa in India. The park encompasses with an area of 145 km² of the Bhitarkanika Mangroves, a mangrove swamp which lies in the river delta of the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamara rivers. The national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Gahirmatha Beach lies to the east, and separates the mangroves from the Bay of Bengal.

The park is home to the Saltwater Crocodile "(Crocodylus porosus)", white crocodile, Indian python, black ibis, and darters. Olive Ridley sea-turtles "(Lepidochelys olivacea)" nest on Gahirmatha and other nearby beaches.

The national park was created in September 1998 from the core area of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, which had been created in 1975.

Mangroves and wildlife

Mangroves 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 km². 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.

An area of 145 km². 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 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