BHITARKANIKA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

BHITARKANIKA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY


This 650 sq km of pristine mangrove is predominantly an Olive Ridley Turtle preserve. These turtles flock in thousands from distant countries, even South America, to lay and hatch their eggs on the pristine Ekakula beach of the Gahirmata Island in the eastern fringes of the sanctuary. They start coming here from November and moves away with their offspring by April. The sanctuary spreads over the confluence of the Brahmini and the Baitarani rivers, continuing up to their estuary in the Bay of Bengal, housing around 62 out of the 70 species of mangrove found in the world. The waters of the two rivers are replete with Crocodiles, attributing to a breeding centre inside the sanctuary. A strong birdlife of over 170 species also inhabits the sanctuary. The sanctuary can be traversed only by motor boats.

Accessibility: Lying on the major Kolkata-Chennai rail route, Bhadrak is the nearest railway station to the sanctuary. A 50kms drive south-east from Bhadrak leads to Chandbali, the entry gate of the sanctuary. Bhadrak is also well connected by road.

Accommodation: There are Forest Rest Houses inside the sanctuary and a Tourist Lodge at Chandbali.

Season: November to June.

Location: Odisha, India

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