Why in the News?
Recently, the Odisha government has cancelled leases granted to two aquaculture companies for shrimp farming inside Bhitarkanika Wildife Sanctuary.
- Shrink farming was ignoring the eco-sensitve nature of the land.
Key Points:
About Bhitarkanika National Park:
- Location: Kendrapara district in Odisha.
- It has been designated as second Ramsar site of the State after the Chilika Lake.
- Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is the 2nd largest Mangrove ecosystems of India.
- It is the breeding place for the endangered salt water crocodiles.
- The Gahirmatha Beach which forms the boundary of the sanctuary in the east is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
- River: Drained by rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala