BHITARKANIKA SANCTUARY







































































The crocodile country.
Location Located in the District of Kendrapara between Longitudes 860.30’ to 870.06’(east )and latitude 200.30’ to 200.50’ (north).
Notification date Sanctuary--- notified on 22 April 1975 National Park notified on 30 October 1988
Area Sanctuary--- area: 672.00sq.km It includes National Park area: 145.00sq.km
Forest type: Mangroves: Bani, Sundari, Rai, Keruan, Hental, Sisu etc.
Number of villages and total population 381 villages 1.96 lakh people
Climate.Minimumwinter temperature is around 100 C, summer temperature goes upto 430 C.
Wild animals to be seen Leopard Cat, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Porcupine, Pythons, Dolphins, King Cobra, Saltwater Crocodiles Including Partial White (Sankhua) Crocodile , Water Monitor Lizard, Terrapins, Marine Turtles, Kingfishers, Wood Peckers, Hornbills, Bar-Headed Goose, Brahminy Ducks, Pintails, White Bellied Sea Eagles, and a variety of resident and migratory birds
Suitable period of visit Winter and early summer months (October to mid April)
Convenient approach The Hd.qrs. of the Division administering the Sanctuary--- is located at Rajnagar approximately 130kms from the State Capital, Bhubaneswar. Gupti, 25kms by road from Rajnagar is also a convenient base for visiting the Sanctuary---. The Sanctuary--- is also approachable via Chandbali which is 174km from Bhubaneswar and 55km from Bhadrak on the Kolkata-Chennai Railway line.
Officer to be contacted. Divisional Forest Officer, Mangrove Forest Division (WL), Rajnagar,
Dist-Kendrapara, Phone no. 06729-272460; Fax 06729-272464
Accommodation:
1. At Dangmal – One FRH (8 beds in fours rooms, a dining room and kitchen; 4 cottages (12 beds in 4 rooms)
2. At Ekakula – One FRH (2 rooms with dining room) Dormitories (16 beds) with a common kitchen space.
3. At Gupti- one Rest Shed with four beds.

Some ‘Travel Routes’ within the Sanctuary--- / Tracks and Trails

* Rajnagar-Gupti-Dangmal by river route (3 hrs. by boat).
* Rajnagar-Gupti-Ekakula by river route (4 hrs.).
* Rajnagar-Gupti-Habalikhati by river route (4½ hrs).
* Dangmal-Gupti-Ekakula (4 hrs)
* Dangmal-Gupti- Habalikhati (4 hrs)
* Dangmal-Khola-Dhamra (3½ hrs).
* Dangmal-Khola-Kalibhanjadia (3 hrs).
* Chandbali-Khola- Dangmal-Habalikhati-Ekakula (8 hrs)

Journey time and duration depend on wind, tides, water current and type / power of the boat.

* Visitors need Entry Permit to enter into the Sanctuary / National Park.
* Parking place available at Gupti FRH.
* Avail only registered boats to go to Bhitarkanika.
* Number of visitors are restricted during Dec.25 to Jan. 03.
* Out of the above routes which are all river routes the following rivers and creeks are inhabited by Crocodiles: Khola creek, Suajora creek, Thanapati creek, Mahisamada creek, Pathsala river, Bhitarkanika river, Dhamra river, Mantei river, Baunsagarh river, Hansina creek.

TRAILS IN KANIKA RANGE (across the river from Dangmal) Over 3.5km trail within the forest block of Kanika Range lead to the following places:
* Renovated ancient Shiva temple.
* Silted lotus pond
* Erstwhile shooting tower of Kanika Raja
* Watch tower overlooking the meadows of Bhitarkanika