About Bhitarkanika National Park:
- It is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha.
- The mangrove swamp situated on the delta formed by the three rivers, namely Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra, the park houses an array of creeks, backwaters, estuaries, deltas, and mudhuts.
- The national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary lie to the east, and separates a swamp region covered with a canopy of mangroves from the Bay of Bengal.
- It is India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans.
- Proximity to the Bay of Bengal makes the soil of the area enriched with salt.
- The vegetation and species of the sanctuary are those that are mainly found in the tropical and subtropical intertidal regions.
- It is also designated as a Ramsar site.
- Flora: Mangrove species, casuarinas, and grasses like the indigo bush.
- Fauna:
- It is home to the largest congregation of the endangered saltwater crocodile in the country.
- The Gahirmatha Beach is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
- It is also home to numerous animals like hyenas, wild boar, Chitals, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Jungle cat, Wild Pigs, etc., and migratory birds, which make it their home during the winter season, lending a vibrant hue to the ecosystem.
- It is also home to eight varieties of Kingfisher birds, which is also a rarity.
