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Eco Tours
The Kashmir
of Orissa
Daringibadi
The Dreamland of Nature
Bhitarkanika
The Carpet of Emralds
Chilika
The Wonder in the Wild
Similipal
The city
sanctuary
Chandaka
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Castaway
from the rigmarole of urban monotony, Bhitarkanika lies hidden in
the neighboring state of Orissa. It’s vast virgin beaches and
nearby uninhabited islands emerging out of the turquoise blue sea,
enliven by Dolphins (seen on sea cruises), Turtles, seagulls,
terns and a host of exotic birds and animals make it best
Comparable to Belize in
Costa Rica.
It
was a paradise lost in wilderness. Rolling sand dunes covered with
Casuarina, naturally private beaches dotted with Crimson
Red crabs, Jellyfish
and Olive Ridley Turtles constitute the Gahirmatha Beach.
The
world of nature is full of wonders sometimes tender, sometimes
awe-inspiring but all the time exciting. Some of them defy
description and transcend perception. Such a land of rare and
unmatched beauty is Bhitarkanika - a wonder in the wild.
The
tidal creeks and mangrove harbors largest Estuarine Crocodile in
the world (upto 22 ft), exotic water birds, and fascinating
mammals: Deer, Sambar, Porcupine, Hyena are usually seen.
Visitors
have a rare opportunity to access the sea beach through the
natural course of river. A memorable experience of the
lifetime!
Widely
acclaimed for its biodiversity in flora and fauna, it is the
second largest compact mangrove ecosystem in India. It is also a
Sanctuary and National Park. Extending over more than six hundred
square kilometers, it is one of the very few evergreen
repositories of most luxuriant mangrove vegetation in the world.
More than sixty varieties of mangrove plants are found here which
provide home to a variety of rare and endangered species. The
pneumatophores, better known as breathing roots, stand like
sentries of the land.
Bounded
by rivers on the three sides and the sea on the fourth,
Bhitarkanika is criss crossed by numerous creeks and canals which
finally meet the sea and make the estuarine delta, the playground
of the Bay of Bengal. When the tide enters the forest floats and
the water kisses the foliage. As it recedes, the multi layer mud
flats on the banks of the creeks expose their bosom with fiddler
crabs, mud skipper fish, little reptiles and the like. It’s a
sight to watch.
This
deltaic region comprises a couple of tiny islands formed by the
meandering creeks. With Dangmal at the center stage (the others
being Ekakula, Habalikhati etc), Bhitarakanika is a natural
habitat of a lot of wild creatures like Crocodiles, King Cobra,
Pythons, Wild Pigs, Rhesus Monkey, Sambars, Spotted Deer etc.
There is a Crocodile Breeding Farm at Dangmal. The
pride possession of this Farm is the White Crocodile Sankhua, a
rare species in the World.
Over
170 species of resident and migratory birds of different hue
enhance the beauty of the wild. Prominent among them are King
Fisher, Open billed Storks, Sea Eagles, Kites, Sand Pipers,
Darters, Whistling Teals, Sea Gulls, etc. The chirping of birds
nesting at Baga Gahana is sure to leave an indelible impression in
any body's mind. Watching the wildlife in their natural habitat
while cruising through the creeks is a thrilling experience. A
trek on the laid out routes will also be equally rewarding.
Another
amazing phenomenon of nature here is the visit of Olive Ridley Sea
Turtles to Gahirmatha in lakhs twice every year between January
and March to lay eggs en masse.
An
unexpected additional attraction is the remains of two 9th century
monument - a temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and the
other, a Shakti Shrine at Dangmal.
Away
from the blinding lights and deafening sound, Bhitarakanika is a
different world altogether, a real retreat in the lap of nature.
Once in here, the world outside will virtually disappear. Back in
work place, the memory will haunt like a fairy tale.
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