BHITARKANIKA NATIONAL PARK
Bhitarkanika is a unique habitat of Mangrove Forests crisscrossed with numerous creeks, canals and mudflats. The word Bhitarkanika is derived from two different Odia words ‘Bhitar’ – meaning interior and ‘Kanika’ – meaning anything which is extraordinary beautiful. Bhitarkanika is considered to be the second largest mangrove forest in the world situated in the Indian state of Orissa in the Kendrapara district. Bhitarkanika is mainly formed of Bhitarkanika National Park and Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Bhitarkanika National Park is mainly confined to the deltaic regions of two different rivers namely Baitarani and Barhmani which confluence with one another and finally meets the sea. Bhitarkanika National Park is spread over an area of about 672 sq km. Though Bhitarkanika is referred to as the world’s second largest mangrove forest but in terms of wildlife characteristics and species this mangrove forest is first of its kind. Among this 672 sq km area of Bhitarkanika, 380 sq km is covered with dense greenery and wilderness, 116 sq km is covered with widely distributed mangrove area, and the rest 176 sq km is full of forest and water body. As per the statistics and information of Orissa Forest Department this region is inhabited by more than 190 different species of birds among which 08 species of Kingfishers are spotted here. In the year 2002 the wide spread water area of Bhitarkanika was declared as internationally acclaimed Ramsar Sight. The total periphery of Bhitarkanika National Park comprises of a couple of riverine islands like Dangmal, Ekakula, Habil Kathi, Kalibhanjan, Hukitola, Krishnapriyapur, Batighar, Gahirmatha Sea Beach, Rajnagar, Buruni and Pentha. Bhitarkanika National Park is inundated by number of rivers like – Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamara and others. At Habil Kathi a unique species of grass is found here which plays a vital role at the time of the formation of new island. The root of these grasses holds the soil tightly and hence restricts soil erosion. Bhitarkanika was declared as a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO. Bhitarkanika is guarded by the Bay of Bengal to the east. Within the region of this mangrove forest of Bhitarkanika ‘Pneumatophores’ also known as breathing roots are found here.
Dominant Fauna:
Mammals: Bhitarkanika National Park forms the common habitat of a wide species of mammals like Spotted Deer, Wild Hog, Hyena, Fishing Cat, Porcupine, Jackals, Rhesus Monkeys, Chitals, Indian Wild Boars, Leopard Cat, Common Mongoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Mole Rat, Common Langer, Otter, Sambar Deer, Jungle Cat and many others.
Reptiles: Bhitarkanika is widely known for its availability of the dominant species of Giant Estuarine Crocodiles. But apart from that Bhitarkanika is also inhabited by other reptiles like Python, King Cobra, Indian Monitor Lizard, Water Monitor Lizard, Indian Chameleon, Spotted Indian House Gecko, Common Vine Snake, Indian Red Snake, Banded Kraits, Estuarine Sea Snakes, Green Viper and many others.
Birds: As Bhitarkanika being a National Park and a Wildlife Sanctuary, for which it is a hot spot to a wide species of local and migratory birds like eight different species of Kingfishers like Black Capped Kingfisher, White Collard Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Rudy Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Blue Eared Kingfisher, White Throated Kingfisher and Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Bee Eater, Stork, Parrot, Brahmini Duck, Owl, Fishing Eagle, Mangrove Pitta, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Whimbrel, Sandpiper, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Open Bill Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Red Wattled Lapwing, Rudy Shelduck, Indian Pitta, Common Stonechat, Green Bee Eater, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Whistling Duck, Egrets, Grey Heron, White Bellied Sea Eagle and many others.
History of Bhitarkanika National Park:
Among the 58 species of mangrove forests found in India, 55 species are recorded to be within Bhitarkanika National Park. In the year 1975 Bhitarkanika was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary and on 16th September 1998 it was declared as a National Park. Until 1952 Bhitarkanika Mangrove was known to be private property of King Rajendra Narayan Bhanjdeo of the Kanika dynasty and was known as Kalibhanjan Island. Later when Odisha Government abolished the zamindari system this island came under Orissa Forest Department. Later in the year 1997 Orissa Government created Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary which bounds Bhitarkanika to the east. This distance covers 27 sq km of land area and 1408 sq km area of water. Within this sanctuary sea beaches like Gahirmatha, Ekakula and Habilkothi are included. In the year 2002 on 19th August the wide spread water area of Bhitarkanika was declared as internationally acclaimed Ramsar Wetland Sight.
Entry Points of Bhitarkanika:
Khola Gate and Gupti are the two major entry points of Bhitarkanika National Park. But these two entry points are only accessed by water ways only. The other entry point is Dangamal which is also accessed by waterways. There are mainly two different routes to visit Bhitarkanika National Park. One is from Bhadrak station via Chandbali and the other is from Cuttack via Rajnagar. After crossing Pathamundai around 23 km is Rajnagar. The main head office of Bhitarkanika National Park is at Rajnagar. From Rajnagar a distance of about 18 km more is Barhmani River. Khola is the first check post before entering the forest area. The forest officials or authorities will check the permit of the tourists. For Gupti there is another check post. The permits for entering the forest will be checked here again. From Gupti a journey of about 03 hours more is Habilkathi. Traveling further tourists will reach Ekakula Island. By boat from Khola Gate tourist can reach at Ramsar. From Khola gate tourist need to get the permit to travel towards the estuary.
Things to know about Bhitarkanika:
From Gupti Gate tourists can visit Dangmal and Habilkathi. If tourists are not permitted to visit upto Gahirmatha Island then they should not travel such a long distance upto Habilkathi. From Brahmani River around 05 km more is Nalpatia. Tourists can visit Kalibhanjan Island via Talchuwa. Kalibhanjan Island lies at the confluence of Brahmani River and Baitarani River. Orissa Forest Department has started a Nature Trail in this island. From Brahmani around 15 km is Talchuwa. Talchuwa is popularly known as sea mouth and it lies on the confluence of Brahmani, Baitarani and Bay of Bengal. Motor boats those carry tourists to the interior of Bhitarkanika National Park passes through these dense mangrove forest. Dhamara is a small harbour or port area from where tourists can travel further towards Kalibhanjan Island. The whole walking route in Kalibhanjan Island is about 09 to 10 km long. From Kalibhanjan tourists can travel towards Brahmandihar. From Kalibhanjan Island around 35 km away is Habilkathi via Ekakula. The forest bungalow at Habilkathi is located around 03 km from the main entrance of Habilkathi. Habilkathi is surrounded by rivers on two sides and Bay of Bengal on the other side. From Habilkathi tourists can reach Gahirmatha within a journey of 01 hour. On return journey by the side of a canal tourists will reach at the jetty ghat of Bagagahana Island and is a heronry of Bhitarkanika. From the jetty ghat a straight route meets up at the watch tower. During the time of high tide this region of Bagagahana gets completely submerged in water. Inside Bhitarkanika Island Orissa Forest Department has made a jungle trail of 04 km long. After a walk of around 03 km through this jungle trail tourists will reach near the ruined hunting palace of the Kanika dynasty. There is a village of the local fishermen which is worth visiting.
Tourist’s interest in and around Bhitarkanika: Bhitarkanika National Park mainly attracts tourists for its wide availability of wild life species, birds life, natural scenic landscapes, mangrove forests, estuaries, canals, deltas and other. Apart from these there are few local watchable around Bhitarkanika National as follows.
Gahirmatha Sea Beach: The Gahirmatha beach is one of the world’s largest breeding point of one of the rare extinct species Olive Ridle Turtles. The ‘Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary’ of this Ekakula Island is a great attraction to the whole world. From November to March this Ekakula Island becomes the habitat of a rare threatened species of turtle named as ‘Olive Ridle Turtle’ those travels far away from New Zealand, Australia and Pacific Ocean. During this time of the year the golden sandy beach of Ekakula Island becomes full of Olive Ridle Rurtle, Hawk Billed Turtle and Leather Backed Turtle.
The Ancient Shiva Temple: Once in the past the king of Kanika Kindgom made Bhitarkanika Island as their hunting ground. Inside Bhitarkanika Island Orissa Forest Department has made a jungle trail route of 04 km long. After a walk of around 03 km through this jungle trail tourists will reach near the ruined hunting palace of the Kanika dynasty. There is an age old Shiv Temple situated near this palace.
Kanika Kingdom Palace: During the time of the Kanika dynasty Chandbali was the business center with different parts of South and East India. The name of Bhitarkanika was derived from that of the Kanika dynasty. From Chandbali around 06 km away is the palace of the Kanika Kingdom which was built in the architectural style of London’s Buckingham Palace.
Shooting Tower: There is a watch tower at Bhagagahana Island which is considered to be the shooting area of the Kanika dynasty.
Nature’s Interpretation Centre: On return journey from Bhitarkanika Island tourist can visit the ‘Nature Interpretation Centre’ at Dangmal. In this interpretation centre tourists will get to know huge information about Bhitarkanika’s wildlife and its surrounding nature. Numerous images are also displayed in this centre. There is a museum near this interpretation centre where tourists will get to see fossils of different species of snakes and reptiles, crocodile’s eggs, crocodile’s skeleton. There is an aquarium placed outside this museum which has wide collection of colourful fishes.
How to reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is Bhubanehwar which is located around 168 km away from Bhitarkanika National Park via Cuttack – Chandbali road. From Bhubaneshwar around 140 km is Rajnagar and 190 km is Chandbali. From Bhubaneshwar via Cuttack, Kendrapara, Patamundi and Rajnagar one can reach upto Khola Gate.
By Train: Bhadrak is the nearest rail head to Bhitarkanika National Park which is well connected by rail route with other major cities of India. From Bhadrak either by bus or by reserved car upto Chandbali which is located 50 km away and is a journey of about 1.5 to 02 hours. Chandbali can also be reached directly from Cuttack via Rajnagar which is around 110 km. Chandbali can also be approached from Balasore which is around 120 km and also from Bhubaneshwar which is around 190 km. From Chandbali tourists need to reach upto Jaynagar Jetty and from here they can avail motor boats to reach upto Khola Gate. Jaynagar Jetty is located around 75 km away from Chandbali.
By Road: Bhitarkanika is well connected by bus route with other major cities of India. There are several public and private operated buses and other vehicles those reaches upto the entry point of Bhitarkanika National Park. Chandbali can also be reached from Cuttuck by reserved or hired cars and by luxury buses.
Boat ride inside Bhitarkanika National Park:
Bhitarkanika can only be approached by waterways. Boat rides are available at Khola, Gupti and Dhamara. Tourists are advised to hire boat of Orissa Forest Department, these boats are the best. From Chandbali in a single day tourists can visit Dangmal and Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Dangmal and Bhitarkanika can easily be visited from Khola Gate. From Gupti Gate tourists can also visit Dangmal and Habilkathi. Motor boats those carry tourists to the interiors of Bhitarkanika National Park passes through the dense mangrove forest. Khola is the first check post before entering the forest area.
Best time of visit:
The best time to visit Bhitarkanika is from October to April. During monsoon i.e. between May to July the forest remains closed for visitors. Crocodile and bird sightings are very common during winter season.