Bhitarkanika Mangroves
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Overview
Bhitarkanika in Odisha is a mangrove wetland of about 650 km² in the delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani. It is a Ramsar site.
It lies in the delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani in Kendrapara district.
It holds one of India's largest populations of the saltwater crocodile, and Gahirmatha beach nearby is a mass nesting site of olive ridley turtles.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2002, and the core is a national park.
It has one of the richest mixes of mangrove species in India.
The core area was declared a national park in 1998.
It is home to the white crocodile Sankhua.
Dangmal is a crocodile breeding centre.
Geography and key facts
- Odisha
- Brahmani–Baitarani delta
- Ramsar site
- Kendrapara district
- Saltwater crocodiles
- Ramsar site 2002
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on where to see gharials (2017).
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Odisha.
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2017 · Q67If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit ?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Bhitarkanika Mangroves.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Odisha
- Coordinates
- 20.650°N, 86.900°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2017
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)