Bhitarkanika Mangroves: Home to India’s Largest Saltwater Crocodiles

Along Odisha’s northeastern coast lies Bhitarkanika, a landscape where rivers, creeks, and mangroves create one of India’s most fascinating ecosystems. Recognised as a Ramsar wetland site, this estuarine paradise is famous for housing the country’s largest population of saltwater crocodiles.

Spread across nearly 670 square kilometres, Bhitarkanika National Park and its surrounding sanctuary zones support an extraordinary variety of wildlife. The saltwater crocodiles are the undisputed stars here—giant reptiles that can grow well beyond 20 feet and weigh close to a ton. These apex predators thrive in the brackish waters of Bhitarkanika’s tidal rivers and creeks, making it one of the few places in India where visitors can spot them in large numbers.

But crocodiles are only one part of Bhitarkanika’s story. The mangrove forests, spread across a vast stretch, act as nurseries for countless fish species and provide a crucial buffer against coastal erosion. The park is also home to an incredible diversity of birds, including migratory species that arrive in the winter months. Kingfishers, herons, and openbill storks are common sights, while the estuaries often echo with the calls of waterfowl.

The biodiversity here extends to land as well. Bhitarkanika shelters spotted deer, fishing cats, and monitor lizards, creating a balanced ecosystem where predators and prey coexist. The park’s dense mangroves also serve as breeding grounds for endangered olive ridley turtles, which nest along Odisha’s coastline.