Odisha: Interpretation center to come up at Bhitarkanika National Park
The Odisha government has decided to set up a state-of-the-art interpretation center at the Bhitarkanika National Park to showcase its flora, fauna and rich biodiversity, a senior official said. At present, the national park has an interpretation center at Dangmal but it has proved to be inadequate in preserving the vast reserve of the finest biodiversity hotspots of the state, the official said.
Estimated cost of the project is Rs. 3 crore: Official
The project, which has been approved under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Program (ICZMP), will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 3cr, the official said. The construction of the center will get underway in winter, ICZMP Project Director, Sushant Nanda, said.
What will be exhibited at the proposed interpretation center?
The conservation measures for protecting crocodiles in their natural habitat and preserving the rich mangrove diversity in Bhitarkanika wetland sites will be exhibited at the proposed center, Nanda said. The ICZMP-funded center that is coming up will cater to the needs of the researchers for an in-depth study of Bhitarkanika's rich reserve of flora and fauna, ICZMP Project Director added.
Park is said to house 70% of country's saltwater crocodiles
"We plan to develop the center both as a tourist attraction and a place for students to learn about the environment," Nanda said. It will also be of interest to visitors who throng the internationally-acclaimed Ramsar wetland site. The national park is said to house 70% of the country's estuarine crocodiles or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
Park is also famous for mangroves, turtles, migratory birds
The crocodile population at Bhitarkanika is estimated to be 1,698 as per the latest census. The park is also famous for its mangroves, turtles, and migratory birds.
