b h i t a r k a n i k a
  
  
Please click here to see some well planned Tour Packages
PRISTINE isolated beaches; Exotic birds; Tens of thousands of giant turtles; Fearsome crocodiles; Narrow creeks that meander past deltaic islands; Wildlife and not a soul around. You guessed it! This can?t be Goa or Kerala. We are talking of a group of islands in unfrequented coastal ORISSA with some of the most fabulous beaches in the country. And they still haven?t been invaded by tourists!
The Guineassee Book of World Records figures BHITARKANIKA as the abode of rare species of white crocodiles of the lengthiest dimension? Gori, acclaimed as country's lone captive white crocodile, used to hog the spotlight over the years for its typical behavioral instinct. Living in isolation since its birth in the sanctuary since 1975, the animal had shunned mating habits despite several attempts made by forest personnel. You can come across a jumbo crocodile who is called Kalia and take the pleasure of feeding him with live chicken. The rare sight of Python and King Cobra staying together without harming each other in an enclosure can simply enthrall you.
The sea turtle ARRIBADA, in a clear moonlit winter night, big turtles crawling out of deep sea in hundred and thousands, puffing and laboring, selecting a site, digging a hole in the sand with hind flippers, laying nearly 200 eggs, covering and compacting by their own body weight, sweeping out of all traces and crawling back to sea, all within 45 minutes, is an event to be seen to be believed.
If you are looking for a place off the beaten track for your next holiday, BHITARKANIKA could well be your destination. For sea, sand and adventure. Yes, adventure. Because the BHITARKANIKA group of islands in northeastern ORISSA offers not just great beaches but exciting trekking trails through forests teeming with wildlife and some thrilling boat rides.
LOCATION
BHITARKANIKA is a hot-spot of biodiversity & in the estuarial region of the rivers Brahmani and Baitarani, in the north-eastern tip of Kendrapara district of ORISSA. The area of the sanctuary is criss-crossed by numerous, brooks, creeks and creeklets, tidal rivers, and rivulets. The alley between the meandering creeks and rivers.The meandering passage between them houses the second largest viable mangrove eco-system of India. The terrain is influenced by tidal action which is dependent on the lunar cycle.
The virgin stretching beaches, lush green mangroves, migrating birds and turtles, the menacing estuarine crocodiles, meandering water courses, tranquil surrounding intercepted by the chirping of birds and the ever embracing nature, enthralls visitors from near and far off places to flock these unique places of tourist importance. Scientists, scholars, nature lovers and tourists have abundant food for thought and exploration. The scope of expanding the tourism is galore but it is to be harnessed. The enormous potential is to be tapped to bring the areas into the tourism map of INCREDIBLE INDIA. Avenues for waster sport, cottages, marine voyages, nature's trail, hotels etc. are yet to be utilized to its potential. The BHITARKANIKA National Park, the BHITARKANIKA Wildlife Sanctuary and the; Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary boast of natures most picturesque sites. The unique bio-diversity, becons the visitors to the natures lap. Publicity campaigns brings the facts to limelight, which is yet to catch up with the available avenue
BHITARKANIKA:
BHITARKANIKA is located in the second largest mangrove forest in the country, The, and is a home to over 215 species of birds, including winter migratory birds from places like Europe and central-Asia. The ecosystem of the BHITARKANIKA Wildlife Sanctuary is inhabited by the Giant Salt Water Crocodiles and numerous varieties of other animal species.
Besides the estuarine Giant Salt Water Crocodiles, the BHITARKANIKA Wildlife Sanctuary in ORISSA is also rich in avifauna, reptilian and mammalian population. The mangrove forests in the BHITARKANIKA Wildlife Sanctuary are a good habitat for the King Cobra, Water Monitor Lizard and Indian Python. Inside the BHITARKANIKA Wildlife Sanctuary, there is an area of approximately 4 hectares, which is visited by a large number of water birds, from the month of June to October every year. BHITARKANIKA Wildlife Sanctuary in ORISSA is considered as one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries of Asia which has crocodiles and turtles as its prized attractions. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 650 sq km and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975. The sanctuary is a protected zone for estuarine crocodiles. The sanctuary is also home to a number of birds and every year a large number of migratory birds come to nest into the mangrove area. The other animals that you can see at the BHITARKANIKA sanctuary include King Cobra, Indian Python and Water Monitor Lizard. While traversing the narrow water creeks of river-Brahmani, Dhamra & Baitarani by motor boats you command bewitching views of Nature. A thrilling experience awaits you as you trek into the mangrove forest. The largest population of estuarine crocodile and Olive Ridley sea Turtles and other reptilian species like water Monitor Lizards, Pythons, Wild Pigs are seen. The Birds Island with spotted deers are other attraction to the sanctuary.
LANDSCAPE FEATURE
BHITARKANIKA is the growing tip of the ever increasing delta formed by the alluvial deposits of Brahmani, Baitarani and Dhamra. The deltaic region is surrounded by the rivers Bramhani and Baitarani, and sea.
Area: BHITARKANIKA Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 672 square kilometers of mangrove forests and wetland.A vast area of 145 square kilometers have been officially been declared as the BHITARKANIKA National Park. The national park in ORISSA has enormous significance, considering the ecological, biological and geomorphologic backgrounds. The national park includes mangrove forests, creeks, estuaries, rivers, accumulated land, backwater and mud flats.
CLIMATE
The temperature in the region can go up to 34°C in summer while in winter the temperature can drop to 13°C
The climate of the sanctuary is moderate. With the onset of monsoonic winds from mid-March, rivers become turbulent, particularly at the confluence of rivers and river mouth areas.
SEASONS
Summer:
March to Mid-June. Sunny mornings, afternoon thunderstorms, windy days and cool nights. Choppy waters most of the time can complicate boat journey in the rivers, confluence area of rivers and river mouth areas. Journey into the sea is risky during this period. The summer temperature goes upto 45° c.
Rains:
Mid-June to September. Most of the rainy days fall in the months of July and August. Except in the period of heavy rains boat journey is comparatively safe.
Spring
October to Mid November. Safe weather for visiting the Park unless there is a depression leading to cyclone.
Winter:
Mid-November to February. Normally cool conditions with night temperatures coming down to 10° c. This is the best period to visit the sanctuary
SUITABLE PERIOD OF VISIT
Winter and early summer October to mid March
ACCESS
By road to Rajnagar, Chandbali, Gupti or Dhamra from where BHITARKANIKA is accessible by boats.
CONNECTIVITY
By Air: Direct flights are available from Kolkatta, Delhi, Mumbai,Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar
By Rail: Nearest Railoways Station is Bhadrak which is connected with all major metros of the country. From Kolkatta, Bhadrak is 297 kms.
By Road: From Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak is 154 km. on NH-5 and the trip takes about 3 hours. Another link road connects Bhadrak to Chandbali which is the confluence point of the sea Bay of Bengal and the river Baitarani. The distance from Bhadrak to Chandbali is 55 km.
The distance from Kolkatta to Chandbali by road is approx 360 kms. The diversion point is Bhadrak which is about 300 kms from Kolkatta and is connected by NH-5.
Rajnagar is the hqrs of the Division administering the sanctuary and is approximately 130 Km. from the State Capital, Bhubaneswar. The road passes via Cuttack, Kendrapara and Pattamundai.
Gupti, 25 Km. by road from Rajnagar and 160 kms from Bhubaneswar.A convenient base for visiting BHITARKANIKA sanctuary
Dhamara is a fishing harbour and is approximately both are districts hqrs. It is approx 190 kms from Bhubaneswar and 35 kms from Bhadrak.Entry permit
Please click here to see some well planned Tour Packages | 
