Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Bhitarkanika, Orissa India

The Bhitarkanika Mangroves are a mangrove wetland in India's Orissa state. The Bhitarkanika Mangroves cover an area of 650 km sq in the river delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers.
 
The Bhitarkanika Mangroves were Zamindari forests until 1952, when the government of Orissa abolished the Zamindari system, and put the Zamindari forests in the control of the state forest department. In 1975, an area of 672 km² was declared the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. The core area of the sanctuary, with an area of 145 km², was declared Bhitarkanika National Park in September 1998. The Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, which bounds the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary to the east, was created in September 1997, and encompasses Gahirmatha Beach and an adjacent portion of the Bay of Bengal. Bhitarkanika Mangroves were designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002.

The Bhitarkanika Mangroves are home to 55 of India's 58 known mangrove species. The mangroves harbor one of India's largest populations of saltwater crocodiles, and Gahirmatha Beach, which separates the mangroves from the Bay of Bengal, is the World's most important nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Some wildlife experts are of the opinion that the largest saltwater crocodile ever was in Bhitarkanika, measuring an estimated 23 feet (7.0 m) which could be traced from the skull preserved by the Kanika Royal Family. The crocodile was shot near Dhamara in 1926, and later its skull was preserved by the then Kanika King.

Crocodile experts estimate the animal to have been between 20 feet (6.1 m) and 23 feet (7.0 m) long, as the size of the skull was measured one ninth of the total length of the body. The wetland also hosts a large and diverse population of resident and migratory birds. Rhesus monkey, leopard cat, fishing cat, jungle cat, small Indian civet cat, toddy cat, common mongoose, jackal, striped hyena, Indian fox, wild pig, Indian porcupine, mole rat, long tailed tree mouse, spotted deer, sambar, common otter, smooth Indian otter are also found here.

The Bhitarkanika Mangroves, a mangrove wetland in Orissa, is spread over a land of 650 sq km in the river delta of the River Brahmani and River Baitarani. Amazing Bhitarkanika Mangroves Tour Orissa held by tour operators every year creates an opportunity for you to have an easy and cozy wildlife experience. BhitarkanikaNational Park, a national park lying in the Kendrapara District of Orissa, is sprawling over an area of 672 sq km. Enclosed by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, the national park has Gahirmatha Beach on its east, separating the mangroves from the Bay of Bengal.

The national park gives abode to endangered Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), white crocodile, Indian python, King Cobra, black ibis, darters and several other varieties of flora and fauna. Founded in September 1998, the national park was made from the key area of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1975. The second largest mangrove ecosystem in the country, the sanctuary is visited by a number of tourists, every year.

Being Zamindari forests until 1952, the Bhitarkanika Mangroves were made after the abolition of the Zamindari system, as since then the Zamindari forests came in the control of the state forest department. In 2002, the Bhitarkanika Mangroves got a Ramsar Wetland designation of International significance.