Bhitarkanika National Park is a 145 km (56 sq mi) national park located in the northeast of Kendrapara district in Odisha, eastern India. It was established on September 16, 1998, and became a Ramsar site on August 19, 2002. This area is the second Ramsar site in the state after Chilika Lake. The park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers 672 km (259 sq mi).

Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary are located to the east, separating the swamp and mangrove areas from the Bay of Bengal.

The national park and wildlife sanctuary are flooded by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Pathsala. It is home to many mangrove species and is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.

The national park is home to the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Indian python, king cobra, black ibis, darters, and many other species of plants and animals.

Wildlife

Mangroves are plants that can grow in salty water and are found in tropical and subtropical areas where the land meets the sea. These plants have special roots shaped like "stilts" that help them stay above water during high tides so they can do photosynthesis. They also can survive changes in salt levels as tides rise and fall.

The strong, tall roots of mangroves create hiding places for fish and other small water animals. These roots also act as nurseries where young fish can stay safe. Bhitarkanika is a place with a rich mangrove ecosystem in the Brahmani-Baitarani estuary in Odisha, India. It is located near the Bay of Bengal and has many creeks. This area is home to the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India.

In 1998, the government of Odisha declared 145 km² of this area as Bhitarkanika National Park. This park is important for studying ecological, geological, and biological topics. It includes many different environments, such as mangrove swamps, rivers, creeks, estuaries, marshes, floodplains, beaches, and mudflats.

In 1975, the government also created Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, covering 672 km². This sanctuary has large mangrove forests, rivers, and creeks that lead to tidal deltas. These areas provide shelter for saltwater crocodiles, which are at risk of harm. The main plant species here include mangroves, casuarinas, and reed grasses like indigo bush and Arundo donax.

Bhitarkanika National Park is home to many animals, such as saltwater crocodiles, Indian pythons, black ibises, wild boars, rhesus monkeys, chitals, darters, cobras, and monitor lizards. Olive ridley turtles lay eggs on nearby beaches, including Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. Bhitarkanika has one of the largest groups of saltwater crocodiles in India, with about 1,671 living in the area. Around 3,000 baby crocodiles were born during the 2014 breeding season.

In 2006, people claimed a saltwater crocodile as large as 7.1 meters (23 feet 4 inches) lived in the park. However, this is likely false because the largest verified crocodile, Lolong, was only 20 feet 4 inches long. Measuring large crocodiles in the wild is difficult, so these claims are not confirmed.

According to a 2006 report, there were 203 adult crocodiles in the park, with 16 of them over 4.9 meters (16 feet 1 inch) long. Five were between 5.5 and 6.1 meters (18 feet 1 inch to 20 feet 0 inch), and three were over 6.1 meters (20 feet 0 inch). A preserved skeleton of a crocodile that was 6.0 meters (19 feet 8 inches) long was also found. These large crocodiles are rare, making Bhitarkanika an important habitat for them. A later report showed 308 adult crocodiles, showing an increase over time. If conservation efforts continue, more large crocodiles may live here.

A 2014 survey counted 1,872 spotted deer and 1,213 wild boars in the park. Other mammals include monkeys (1,522), jackals (305), common langurs (39), otters (38), sambar deer (17), jungle cats (11), foxes (10), mongooses (7), wolves (7), and fishing cats (12).

The park has 320 bird species, including eight types of kingfishers. Birds like the Asian open bill, cormorants, darters, black ibises, and egrets are often seen. Each year, about 120,000 birds from other countries visit for winter, and 80,000 birds from India come to nest during the monsoon season.

In 2023, 179 Mangrove pittas were recorded in the park.