Very soon, the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district will be enlisted in the list of World Heritage Sites. The reason is Olive Ridley sea turtles swim to the place from the Pacific Ocean in lakhs every year for laying eggs during winter period, while the baby turtles go back to the ocean during April- May.
This is world’s biggest rookery, which attracts lakhs of tourists world over. It is a pride of Odisha and of India. Besides Bhitarkanika, there are other sites of heritage importance in India as well.
The Great Himalayan National Park, the Kajiranga National Park, the Nandadevi National Park, the Sundarvana National Park and Western-Ghat National Park are all nature’s abode. The representatives of world heritage organisation have come to this sanctuary recently for assessing the biological importance of the site. The members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) became surprised seeing the extent of rookery in the coast of the Bay of Bengal at Bhitarakanika. It is also a sanctuary of birds and animals.
The Bhitarakanika sanctuary is spread over 67,200 sqkm. As many as 145 forest types of Bani, Sundari, Rai, Keruan, Hental, Sisumar, etc are found in the area on river mouths of river Brahmani and Baitarani, which are two main rivers of the State. The geo-chemistry of the region is quite different from other areas. The geo-physics of the region is formed due to action of the two main rivers and of the Bay of Bengal.
The silt deposited here is very rich and fertile. Other than mangrove species, no other species can thrive in the region. The peculiarity of composite action of the soil profile supports a different variety of flora and fauna. In the region different types of cats such as leopard, fishing cat and jungle cat are noticed. The environment of Bhitarakanika is as good as Sundarvana of Ganga and Hooguli river.
The Sundarvanas are famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) which is a permanent resident and a man-eater. But in case of Bhitarkanika, the RBT is not found. Hyena, wild boar, spotted deer and Sambar are sighted in Bhitarakanika. Besides, reptiles like python, king cobra, salt water crocodiles, partial white crocodiles, water monitors, lizards, terrapins and marine turtles are noticed. Over and above, rodents like porcupines and rabbits and birds like kingfishers, pintails, white bullied sea-eagles and other migratory birds are located. The Bagagahana is of much attraction for the tourists. The whole Bhitarkanika is an excellent ecological tourism spot. The winter and early summer months of the year are the best excursion period for the nature lovers and students for nature study.
As the Olive Ridley sea turtles feel safe to form rookeries here, they are coming every year. Other than these three main rookeries of Olive Ridley turtles, there are seven to eight small rookeries in the Odisha coast. So, the Government of Odisha restricts fishing in 20 km off coast during the period of mass nesting to prevent casualties of mother as well as baby turtles during their transit. The penal provisions of Wild life Protection Act 1972 is also enforced within these zone for safety not only of these reptiles but also of other land and ocean creatures including the avian species and the habitats of flora and fauna of the region. The representatives for World Conservation Union thoroughly studied the magnificent site of the sanctuary.
Moreover, all the river mouths of universe are very rich in biodiversities, where several food chains work to make sustainable the biospheres of the regions. The Chilika lagoon, Similipal Tiger Reserve-Cum-Biosphere, Sunabeda Biosphere and Tikarpara Biosphere; which are also famous for their biodiversity. Action should be taken to include these sites in the list of the World Heritage Site.
Not only the Olive Ridleys but also python, king cobra, salt water crocodile, partial white crocodile, water monitor lizard and terrapin lay eggs during this season and promote their progeny. The Bhitarkanika sanctuary is the best ground for all these reptiles to grow.
There are three types of crocodiles available in our State, such as the salt water crocodile or Baula Kumbhira, fresh water crocodiles, known as Mugger or Gomuha and Gharial. The Muggers are available in the wetland areas of Satkoshia gorge of Mahanadi river, river- systems of Similipal Tiger Reserve, and Godabandha reservoir of Digapahandi in Ganjam district. The fate of the population of Gomuha or Mugger is as good as salt water crocodile. The Gharials are available in the Mahanadi river system. As sources say the present census figure of crocodile in Odisha is 1,672 as against last year figure 1,661. The progress of crocodile population in the State is not satisfactory. The winter is the best season for collection of eggs of reptiles for artificial hatching and propagation.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)