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Odisha‘s Bhitarkanika National Park which is India’s second-largest mangrove forest, was ravaged by Cyclone Yaas recently
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Hundreds of trees, mostly casuarina, palm, coconut and other trees were uprooted by the violent winds and crowns of several others were severely distorted. Many mangrove trees were also battered.
About Bhitarkanika National Park
- Bhitarkanika National Park is a 145 km2 (56 sq mi) large national park in northeast Kendrapara district in Odisha in eastern India.
- It was designated on 16 September 1998 and obtained the status of a Ramsar site on 19 August 2002.
- It is the second Ramsar site of the State after the Chilika Lake
- It is surrounded by Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
- The national park and wildlife sanctuary is inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala.
- The Gahirmatha Beach which forms the boundary of the sanctuary in the east is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
- It hosts many mangrove species, and is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India
- It is home to Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Indian python, king cobra, black ibis, darters and many other species of flora and fauna
Source: DownToEarth
