A Study on Bhitarkanika Mangrove Forest: A Sensitive Fragile Ecosystem

Out of 110 species of mangroves, identified on the globe, 63 species are found in Bhitarkanika. The mangroves support marine life of 60 genera and 64 species of microfauna, 34 genera and 55 species of meiofauna, 19 species of amphibians, 42 species of reptiles including the rare and endangered sea turtle, more than 200 species of birds, 60 species of mammals, and 6 species of marine mammals. Three hundred species of fishes and 229 species of crustaceans also inhabit this sanctuary. The wild animals such as leopard, cat, fishing cat, jungle cat, hyena, wild boar, spotted dear, sambar, porcupine, python, dolphin, king cobra, salt water crocodiles, water monitor lizard, terrapins, common mongooses, Indian field mouse, and Indian mole rat are living in this sanctuary. The water temperature of the sanctuary varied from 25°C to 32°C, and air temperature from 28°C to 36°C. The pH value ranged from 6.98 to 8.7. Salinity fluctuated from 9 ppt to 33.8 ppt. The dissolved oxygen ranged from 2.325 mg/ L to 7.250 mg/L, carbonate alkalinity from 25 mg/L to 60 mg/L, and bicarbonate alkalinity from 65 mg/L to 120 mg/L.