-: BHITARKANIKA WILDLIFE :-

Location : Orissa 
Nearest Access : Forest Rest Houses 
Main Wildlife Found : Estuarine Crocodile & Pacific Ridley Sea Turtles 
Coverage Area : 170 Sq kms

About Bhitarkanika Wildlife :-

Located in the deltaic region of Brahmani and Baitarani on the north - eastern coast of India, the Bhitarkanika mangroves represent one of the finest remaining patches of mangrove forests, along the entire Indian coast. With two and half decades of continued conservation measures, this area has emerged as one of the well known coastal wetlands.

Bhitarkanika is a major breeding and wintering place for a multitude of resident and migratory waterbirds and is the east coast's major nursery for brackish water and estuarine fish fauna. It supports a wide variety of wetland habitats ranging from tidal rivers and creeks to riverine islands and intertidal zones, apart from coastal wetlands along the eastern boundary. Bhitarkanika mangroves has been designated as a Ramsar Site in November 2002 

Gahirmatha beach, which forms the eastern boundary of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary sup ports the largest known nesting beach of olive ridley sea turtle in the world. Nearly half a million olive ridleys nest every year at Gahirmatha. Besides, the coastal waters off Gahirmatha is a major mating area for the olive ridley sea turtle,that migrate to this coast every winter.  Bhitarkanika supports the highest density of endangered saltwater crocodile in India. Nearly 700 saltwater crocodiles inhabit Bhitarkanika and its associated river systems.

One of the largest heronries in the country is located here. More than 20,000 birds consisting of 11 species nest in this heronry during June to November every year. Bhitarkanika is one of the largest contiguous patches of mangrove forest in the country, representing the Indo-Malayan mangrove community. 

Biodiversity Values:
Flora

So far 58 species of mangroves have been recorded in India of which 55 are found in Bhitar - kanika. Existence of three species of Rhizophora, Heritiera and Avicennia each and four species of Bruguiera are some of the interesting features of flora of Bhitarkanika. In Bhitarkanika a variety of wild rice grows abundantly in tidal mud flats. Based on the genetic strain of this wild rice, several saline and flood resistant varieties of rice have been developed.

Fauna

Bhitarkanika harbours one of the largest populations of endangered saltwater crocodile in India and is globally unique in that 10 percent of the adults exceed 6 m length. Nearly 700 saltwater crocodiles inhabit the rivers and creeks. Nearly half a million olive ridley sea turtles on an average, nest every year along the Gahirmatha coast of Bhitarkanika. Besides water monitor, which is common, yellow and common monitors are also sympatric here. The mangrove forests and its adjoining wetlands support large number of resident as well as migratory waterfowl. Of the 174 species of birds, 82 breed here and 57 species winter in Bhitarkanika. The endangered lesser adjutant stork also breeds here.

Bhitarkanika is also home for several mammals. Five species of marine dolphins have been recorded from the area. The common species encountered in this area is the Indo - pacific humpbacked dolphin. Notable among the other mammalian fauna of Bhitarkanika are striped hyaena, fishing cat, jungle cat, smooth - coated otter, civet, Indian porcupine, wild boar, spotted deer and sambar.