Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
The
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary of Orissa is one of the world-famous places and
the reason for its popularity is for the second largest Mangrove Species forest
and home of Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). This is the only one best
location for travel, adventure, and research points of Plant.
Many
Master in Science (Botany) is a postgraduate degree course where the student
goes to Bhitarkanika for their project and research on trees. Many foreigners
also come to this place for their projects. At present, it is one of the best
traveling spots. The sanctuary has 215 species of birds in which the most
important are the eight varieties of kingfisher and the migratory birds from
Europe and Central Asia.
Here
in this article, I am going to describe the best spot at Bhitarkanika where
many persons/travelers do not know. I had started my journey from Cuttack
(silver city) to Bhitarakanika Via Rajkanika. Rajkanika is the end block of the
State of Orissa where the depth of the rivers are high and the rivers are very
unsafe for human beings. This was my bike trip.
I had crossed the river Brahmani at Patrapur,
Pattamundai, Kharasrota River between Alu and Rajakanika. And the same
Kharasrota River again crossed at Jainagar towards Bhitarkanika through the
wooden boat.
The distance from cuttack to Jainagar (rajakanika) is
about 110 Km and thereafter after crossing the river, it was nearly 10 Km. The
road drive was very interesting and amazing because I had gone through the rice
field and village with the river bank.
The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the
end of a village. We booked the ticket for entrance fees @ Rs. 25/-. It is
really a huge place. In it you can find deer park, huge Mangrove forest and at
the starting point, you can see some crocodiles at the pond. There is a
restriction to go to water because crocodiles always stay in the water.
Once
upon a time, this place was the hunting ground of the royal Raj Kanika family
who is now famous for its high concentration of Mangrove trees. In this area,
the King had hunted crocodiles, deer, tigers which I have seen from the palace
of Raj Kanika. This is the point where Brahmani- Baitarani – Bay of Bengal, you
can see. The common portion of the area is very beautiful. This Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary is an island where you may also find Indian python, king
cobra, black ibis, darters, and many other species of flora and fauna which are
mainly found in the tropical and subtropical intertidal regions.
DETAILS
|
Place
Name: Bhitarkanika Famous
for: the breeding place of Saltwater Crocodile and
Second largest
Mangrove Ecosystems of India
Largest
breeding place of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Area
Cover: 672 Km Vast area |
Museum
Crocodile Museum
Crocodile Museum Bhitarkanika
Here one can find a museum of crocodiles. In the above
photo, you can see. In my life, I have not seen the museum of the saltwater
crocodile. This trip was the first time. In this museum, I have seen the head
and skeleton of a crocodile.
Deer
Park
In Bhitarkanika you may get deer that are running
openly. It is a different type of charm to see deer in open space and just near
you. During the evening time of the winter session, the deer come to the middle
of the park to get sunlight. That scene is a beautiful scene.
Mangrove forest
Mangrove forest
Mangrove forest, India
This mangrove forest is the 2nd largest mangrove
forest in India. This is the most beautiful and different forest than other
normal forests. Here you cannot get a single huge and big tree and all are
standing in near water and connected to each other. During the boat ride, you
can see the trees are sleeping on the river. It is also a deep forest.
These trees are spread all over the forests and the
wetlands and predominate the ecosystem of the region. The National park carved
out of the core area of the sanctuary is the land for impeccable biodiversities
The sanctuary lies in the estuarial region of Brahmani-Baitarani with the Bay
of Bengal lying in the East; apart from this the sanctuary has many rivers,
streams, creeks, accumulated land, backwater and mudflats making it a land of
immense importance for its unique flora and fauna
Red
Crabs
In India, red crabs are rare to see but at
Bhitarkanika you get red crabs everywhere near the water. Huge numbers of red
small size crabs are seen here. It is easy to catch them and a beautiful test.
Here local people are not interested in eating those red crabs except
outsiders.
Gahirmatha Beach
Gahirmatha
The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is continued till
Gahiramatha beach. The Gahirmatha Beach which forms the boundary of the
sanctuary in the east is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
This beach is restricted for the traveler and who are coming from Bhitarkanika
side for them if interested then the boat takes towards Gahiramatha. The local
people of the kendrapara district only go to this beach.
Migrant
Birds
This is the place where a large number of migrant
birds come from a long-distance during the winter part from November to
February. This is the best time for travelers to visit this place. The
photographers come to this place for their photoshoot.
The
interesting part for animal lovers
The sanctuary has approximately 215 species of birds
such as are the eight varieties of kingfisher and the migratory birds from
Europe and Central Asia and the home for many reptiles, mammals, and
vertebrates which includes the venomous Cobras and Indian Pythons, the
endangered water monitor lizards, Chitals, Jungle cat, Wild Pigs, Otter, Rhesus
Monkeys, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, and the Fishing Cat. The Asian
OpenBill, Cormorants, Darters, Black Ibis, Egrets, open billed storks,
sandpipers, sea eagles, whistling teals, kites and seagulls are the frequently
noticed avian of the sanctuary.
Accommodation
Facility
The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary Bhitarkanika
National Park Orissa tour is organized for the tourists to make them come upon
all these incredible experiences. The forest rest houses at Ekakula, Dangmal,
and Gupti are the modes of Bhitarkanika. The best season to visit the sanctuary
is winter between the months of November to February.
HOW TO REACH:
By Road:
Kendrapara
is the District Headquarter. If you want to go on by road it is a direct road
via Patamundaei- Rajanagar.
If
anyone wants to go from Rajakanika then you have to go on Kendrapara –
Rajkanika ( from Jaynagar) you have to booked a boat to Bhitarkanika
If
you want to go by boat then you have to go to Chandabali. There is the boat
facility that takes you to Bhitarkanika.
BOATING IN BHITARKANIKA
Railway Station:
Bhadrak
Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station which is located 40 Km from
Chandbali.
Airport:
The
nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Airport (Biju Patnaik International Airport) 75
Km from Kendrapara.
I have traveled to the following spot which is most
interesting and amazing. This is my first deep forest tour. This is the best
place and has all facilities to stay and enjoy the beautiful nature with wild
animals. I stayed one night.
