Bhitarkanika National Park Last Updated Friday, 26 November :05

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1 Bhitarkanika National Park with an area of 672 Sq.KM is located in the Kendrapara District of Orissa and surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. The national park was created in September 1998 from the core area of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, which had been created in Gahirmatha Beach lies to the east, and separates the mangroves from the Bay of Bengal. The park covers the Bhitarkanika Mangroves, a mangrove swamp in the river delta of the Brahmani, Baitarani and Dhamara rivers. Bhitarkanika Sanctuary & National Park will remain closed for visitors from 4th - 12th January, 2011 due to Annual Crocodile Census for the year 2011 Fauna: The Park is home of the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), white crocodile, Indian python, black ibis, wild pigs, rhesus monkeys, chital, darters, cobra, water monitor lizard, etc. Olive Ridley sea-turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) nest on Gahirmatha and other nearby beaches. Bhitarkanika has 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. Avian-Fauna: Mangroves in the Bhittarkanika National Park are salt tolerant, complex and dynamic eco-system that occur in tropical and subtropical inter-tidal regions. 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. The mangrove forest & wetland provides home to well over 215 species of birds including winter migrants from central-asia and Europe. The species of avifauna include eight varieties of Kingfishers. Birds such as Asian Open Bill, Cormorants, Darters, Black Ibis, Egrets, are frequently seen in the park. Giant salt water crocodiles and variety of other Wildlife are found in this eco-system which forms one of the most spectacular Wildlife areas in Asia. 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: Khola and Gupti are the two main entry points to enter the most sought-after destination, Bhittarkanika National Park. Visitors should take entry permit from the Forest Check Gate at Khola and Gupti. Both Forest Department's and private boats are available at both the places. Private boats are also available at Jayanagar & Chandbali. By Road: Bhubaneswar - Khola / Gupti (160 kms) Cuttack - Khola / Gupti (140 kms) Bhadrak - Chandbali (55 kms) Bhadrak Jayangar (70 kms) Nearest Railway Station : Bhadrak - 55 kms to Chandabali Bhadrak - 70 Kms to Jayanagar Cuttack kms to Khola / Gupti Bhubaneswar kms to Khola/Gupti Nearest Airport : 1 / 6

2 Bhubaneswar kms to Khola / Gupti Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary The world's largest known rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtle is found in this sanctuary. Apart from Gahirmatha rookery, two other mass nesting beaches have been located which are on the mouth of rivers Rushikulya and Devi. The spectacular site of mass congregation of Olive Ridley sea turtles for mating and nesting enthralls both the scientists and the nature lovers throughout the world. This unique phenomenon is hardly seen anywhere. The total area of the sanctuary is Sq. Km. which includes Sq. Km. of water body and 27.0 Sq. Km. of land mass including reserve forests, mud flats and accreted sand bars. Core area of the sanctuary consists of Sq. Km. and the buffer zone accounts for Sq. Km. The entire sanctuary area comes within the revenue district of Kendrapara. Olive Ridley sea turtles migrate in huge numbers from the beginning of November, every year, for mating and nesting along the coast of Orissa. Gahirmatha coast has the annual nesting figure between one hundred to five hundred thousand, each year. There has been decline in the population of these turtles in the recent past due to mass mortality. Olive Ridley sea turtle has found place in Schedule - I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 1991). All the species of sea turtles in the coastal water of Orissa are listed as "endangered" as per IUCN Red Data Book. The sea turtles are protected under the Migratory Species Convention and CITE (Convention of International Trade on Wildlife Flora and Fauna). India is a signatory nation to all these conventions. The 'Homing' characteristics of the Ridley sea turtles make them more prone to mass casualty. The voyage to the natal nesting beaches is the dooming factor for the sea turtles. Since Gahirmatha coast serves as the natal nesting beach for millions of turtles, it has immense importance on turtle conservation. Olive Ridley sea turtles feed on marine snails, smaller forms of fish, fish eggs, crustaceans and jellyfish. Algal material is also used as food by the Ridleys. Ridleys generally crush and grind the food materials before in taking. The best feeding ground of sea turtles may not be the best nesting ground for them. The sea turtles migrate thousands of kilometers to meet both the ends. It has been observed that Olive Ridley sea turtles migrate from the coastal water of Srilanka in the Indian Ocean to the coastal water of Gahirmatha in the north. The 'Homing' characteristics and the uncanny ability to orient itself in open sea help the sea turtles to migrate over long distance without getting lost in the 2 / 6

3 vastness of the sea. Immediately after the arrival of ridley sea turtles in the coastal water of Gahirmatha, they indulge in matting activities. Males mount over the females and are often seen floating on the surface with the intermittent movement of flippers. Sometimes more than one male is seen mounting over one female. The courtship continues for hours unless there is any external threat. A female will continue to mate with several males throughout the breeding season. Mostly the mating pairs are seen off the coast of Ekakula. The mass nesting behaviour of Olive ridley sea turtles is known as "Arribada". Thousands of female carrying turtles scramble on the nesting beach at Nasi - I & II islands to release the eggs in flask shaped cavities. The turtles scoop the soft sand to a depth of 45 cm with the help of flippers and release 100 to 180 eggs. Before scampering on to the beach, the turtles survey the nesting ground from the sea and incase they smell and danger, they shun the beach and search for safer breeding ground. The urge to release the egg is so intense that they are so oblivious of the presence of any foreigner, at the time of nesting. Generally dark nights are preferred by the ridleys for nesting. It has been observed that nesting takes place once the southernly wind starts blowing. The period of emergence and retreat into the sea after nesting takes 45 to 55 minutes. Due to the shrinkage of the nesting beach, over crowding of turtles is observed during nesting. The eggs which are scooped out by successive nesters are known as "doomed" egg as it would never be able to hatch. Sporadic nesting is also not uncommon. These eggs are mostly damaged by predators. The nesting females emit hissing noise at the time of laying eggs as the intake of oxygen is maximum at that moment. After laying eggs, the female turtle fills up the pit with sand by the flippers and tries to camouflage the pit site. The motor turtle, rams the pit with the help of its body weight. The eggs inside the flask shaped pits, being incubated by sun and the metabolic heat, hatch after 50 to 60 days. The hatching takes place during night or in the predawn period to avoid predation by Jackles, dogs and birds. The walls of the pit gradually collapse, thereby allowing the eggs on the lower strata to rise upwards. After the emergence of hatchlings, they immediately head for the open sea. The tiny replicas of turtles are in a frenzy to enter the sea water. This is the most spectacular sight. The hatchlings orient themselves by the reflection of stars on sea water or by the brighter horizon and head enmasse towards the sea. The hatchlings swim deep into the sea until they reach the sea current. During this period large scale mortality of hatchlings takes place. It is studied that 1 in 1000 survives. Bigger fishes, ghost crabs or seagulls either predate the hatchlings. Then the period of "lost year" begins. DANGMAL : 3 / 6

4 The serenity of the atmosphere at Dangmal makes it one of the most sought after place for tourists. Other attractions at Dangmal are Captive breeding & Research Centre for estuarine crocodile. Huge female crocodiles - Gori & Hydrabadi. Rare sight of Python and King Cobra staying together without harming each other in an enclosure. Interpretation Hall - Film shows on Bhitarkanika on request. How to reach: It can be approached by road from Rajnagar via Khola Check gate. It is about 30 Kms. from Rajnagar by road. Dangmal can also be approached from Gupti by boat through Patsala River & then Bhitarkanika nala in that order. Gupti is about 25 Kms. from Rajnagar and Dangmal is 1 Hr. 15 minutes journey by boat from Gupti. Dangmal can be approached from Chandbali by boat in Baitarani, Brahmani & the Khola creek in the Bhitarkanika Nala in that order. Traveling by boat is advisable as it entails a thrilling experience. Where to Stay: Bamboo House I - Suite Double bedded Rs.600/- p.day p.suite Hental House I, & II Suites Double bedded Rs. 100/- p.day p.suite Bani Bhaban-I & II Suites Four bedded Rs. 200/- p.day p.suite. New Cottage-I,II,III Suites Double bedded Rs.150/- p.day p.suite Round Cabin 1 No. Three bedded Rs.200/-p.day p.suite Deer Dormitory 12 bedded Rs.640/- p.day for 12 beds 4 / 6

5 Service Tax extra. Tour Itineraries: 3 Days Day 1: Bhadrak Rail Station Chandbali (51 KM); Chandbali Dangmal Island in the same day. Check-in Forest Rest House. Afternoon trip to Bhittarkanika Mangroves. Night halt at Dangmal FRH. Day 2: Full day excursion in Bhitarkanika National Park and visit Pakhigahan Bird Sanctuary. Night halt at Dangmal FRH. Day 3: Visit to Bhitarkanika Interpretation Center. Return to Chandbali and then to Bhadrak rail Station. 4 Days Day 1: Bhadrak Rail Station Chandbali (51 KM); Chandbali Dangmal Island in the same day. Check-in Forest Rest House. Afternoon trip to Bhittarkanika Mangroves. Night halt at Dangmal FRH. Day 2: Full day excursion in Bhitarkanika National Park and visit Pakhigahan Bird Sanctuary. Night halt at Dangmal FRH. Day 3: Visit to Bhitarkanika Interpretation Center. Visit to Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary. Night halt at Habelikhanti Forest Rest House. Day 4: Visit to Ekkakula. Return to Chandbali and then to Bhadrak rail Station. Travel time within the Sanctuary Rajnagar-Gupti-Dangmal by river route (3 hrs. by boat). Rajnagar-Gupti-Ekakula by river route (4 hrs.). Rajnagar-Gupti-Habalikhati by river route (4½ hrs). Dangmal-Gupti-Ekakula (4 hrs) Dangmal-Gupti- Habalikhati (4 hrs) Dangmal-Khola-Dhamra (3½ hrs). Dangmal-Khola-Kalibhanjadia (3 hrs). 5 / 6

6 Chandbali-Khola- Dangmal-Habalikhati-Ekakula (8 hr/s) Some imp[portent points for Bhittarkanika tourists: Journey time and duration depend on wind, tides, water current and type / power of the boat. Visitors need Entry Permit to enter into the Sanctuary / National Park. Parking place available at Gupti FRH. Avail only registered boats to go to Bhitarkanika. Number of visitors is restricted during Dec.25 to Jan. 03. Out of the above routes which are all river routes the following rivers and creeks are inhabited by Crocodiles: Khola creek, Suajora creek, Thanapati creek, Mahisamada creek, Pathsala River, Bhitarkanika River, Dhamra River, Mantei River, Baunsagarh River, Hansina creek. Trails in the Kanika Range (across the river from Dangmal) Over 3.5km trail within the forest block of Kanika Range lead to the following places: Renovated ancient Shiva temple. Silted lotus pond Erstwhile shooting tower of Kanika Raja Watch tower overlooking the meadows of Bhitarkanika 6 / 6