• Skip to main content
DB Banner Logo

Discover Bhubaneswar

We Bring the City to Your Fingertips

Show Search
Hide Search
  • Home
  • Latest
  • News
  • Documentaries
  • Guest Posts
  • Editorials
  • Terms of Use
  • Say Hello

Guest Posts

Bhitarkanika National Park: Odisha’s Mini Amazon

For those interested in mangroves and their hidden treasures, Bhitarkanika is the place to be in this holiday season.

7 years ago4.7K Views

For those interested in mangroves and their hidden treasures, Bhitarkanika is the place to be in this holiday season. Located in Kendrapara district of Odisha, Bhitarkanika wetland is considered the second largest mangrove forest in the country after the Sunderbans in West Bengal. Surrounded by Baitarani, Dhamra and Brahmani rivers, it has a unique biodiversity that attracts visitors from all over the country and abroad. Interestingly, the destination is often referred to as a ‘Mini Amazon in India.

Home to over 1600 salt-water crocodiles and 6070 varieties of mangroves, the wetland comprises of three protected sites – Bhitarkanika National Park, Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. The National Park, which has been proposed to be included in the list of World Heritage Sites, spreads over an area of 650 square km and has a mangrove cover of 115 square km. Besides crocodiles, the National Park is home to a variety of wildlife like reptiles, Fishing Cats, Hyenas, Monitor Lizards, Sambars, Spotted Deer and one of the main attractions of the wetland is the 22-feet crocodile named Kaalia.

Nestled amidst the mangroves are the Bagagahana and Saribana sites that are considered an ‘Ornithologist’s Paradise’ as here, both residential and migratory birds can be seen. In fact, every year during monsoon and winter, Bhitarkanika plays host to lakhs of migratory birds like Darter, Intermediary Egret, Cormorant, Large Egret and Grey Heron. Kingfishers, Hornbills, Brahminy Ducks, White Bellied Sea Eagles, sea Gulls, Headed Geese and Waders are among the residential birds.

As far as Gahirmatha is concerned, it is the largest rookery for Olive Ridley sea turtles in Odisha. Cruising along the backwaters in a boat, one can reach Dangamal Island which is just three km away from Gahirmatha. The island houses the Captive Breeding & Research Centre for Estuarine Crocodiles.

While Bhitarkanika can be approached by road from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Bhadrak, the nearest railway station to the spot is at Bhadrak. The two main entry points to Bhitarkanika are Khola and Gupti and one has to collect entry permit from Forest Check gate at Khola to enter the National Park. Boats with guides can be hired at the entry points.

For accommodation, there are Swiss cottages inside the National Park and a Forest Rest House near Dangamal. Best time to visit is between October and February when visitors can also sight the Olive Ridleys and migratory birds in the Sanctuary.

About Diana Sahu

A copy-editor by profession, Odisha-based Diana Sahu is also a curious traveler, blogger and a photographer. Passionate about de-mystifying the world of travel in India, her interest areas are monumental heritage and eco-tourism. Fascinated by various cultures, cuisines and traditions, she wants to explore off-beat destinations across the country and their splendor.

← Previous Post
Odia Wikisource to Celebrate Its First Anniversary in Bhubaneswar
Next Post →
Diwali in Odisha – Celebration of A Different Kind

Reader Interactions

{ 1 Response }

  1. Subash Bisoyi says

    October 29, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Good coverage. More information and good photographs (means capturing the place, scenes, wild animals, forests, people) or a photo journey for bringing the place to armchair netizens. Your attempt is commendable.

    Reply

What Do You Think? Cancel reply

Related Posts

Guest Posts
The Three Wheeled Gallery On The Roads of Bhubaneswar
January 3, 2016
Nabakalebara Book Review
Guest Posts
Nabakalebara: Legends and Reality (Book Review)
January 9, 2016
Guest Posts
Straw Painting – Odisha’s Exquisite Handicraft
August 29, 2016
Guest Posts
When will Nuakhai become a Truly pan-Odisha Festival?
September 7, 2016

© 2023 Discover Bhubaneswar Owned & Managed by Top League Technologies Pvt. Ltd. · Built on Genesis