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Bhitarkanika National Park
Why is it in news?
- Two saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) have been sighted in the State coast within a month indicating migration of the species from the Odisha coast.
Bhitarkanika National Park
- Location- Kendrapara district of Odisha.
- National Park since 1998.
- Ramsar Convention site since 2002.
- Surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
- To east side of it- Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary.
- It is home to Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), White Crocodile, Indian python, King Cobra, black ibis, darters and many other species of flora and fauna.
- The sanctuary is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
- The national park and wildlife sanctuary is inundated by a number of rivers – Brahmani, Baitarni, Dhamra, Pathsala.
- The park is famous for its green mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles and countless creeks.
- It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
Source
The Hindu, Shankar IAS book