After fulfilling months of hard work, one definitely wants to take rest away from the din and bustle of city enjoying the beauty of nature in a serene atmosphere.

 

Bhitarkanika with its lush green mangroves, the fiery crocodiles, migrating birds and turtles, water tracks, the ever beautiful nature surely invites the visitors from all walks of life to spend time leisurely as well as think and explore the beauty of nature. Represented by the 3 protected areas “The Bhitarkanika National Park”, The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary” and “The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary”, it is always a place for nature lovers, scholars, scientists and tourists.

 

Located in Odisha’s Kendrapara district (Click here to see on Map) , Bhitarkanika is surrounded with Mangrove Forests criss-crossed with streams and mud planes. In 1975 Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BKWS) was established to conserve the rich biodiversity and the pristine beauty in the Brahmani-Baitarani (Dhamra) deltaic region of coastal Odisha. Later the Sanctuary was designated as Bhitarkanika National Park in the year 1988. Yet again in the year 2002 it was re-designated as the Ramsar site or The Wetland of International importance. Even steps are being taken to include it in the World Heritage Site List.

 

Bhitarkanika river system has few giant saltwater crocodiles. The length of these crocodiles is around 20ft. The nesting behavior of mother Saltwater crocodile is different from other two Indian Crocodilian species. She builds up a small mountain in a secluded place by collecting available nesting material which includes aquatic fern species (Acrostischum aureum), Hental (Phonix paludosa), etc. Then the nesting mother crocodile actively guards her nests for about 70-75 days, till the young crocodiles hatch out for moving into the creeks. The un-disturbed river bank is the favoured basking spot for Saltwater crocodiles. An abode for the highly poisonous snake, King Cobra, Bhitarkanika is one of the few

 

Bhitarkanika mangrove forests provide an abode for the deadly poisonous snake, King cobra. This is one of the few locales in the country where a good population of King cobras are seen.

 

With Monsoon water birds flock Bagagahan, a place closer to the famous Sujhajore creek. It is an amazing view to observe 50,000 birds including the new ones chirping and flying.

Then, one needs to steal his view for the rare spotted deer’s who have got adjusted to the climatic prevailing conditions of this ecosystem. With a increase in their population they can be found around the Crocodile Research Centre at Dangmal as well as along the river banks.

The best times to see these spotted deer’s are either in the morning or in during sunset along the river banks. Though few of them can also be seen the FRH at Dangmal during night hours.

• Never try to suck out the venom
• Never make an incision
• Never go to traditional healers or try home remedies
• Do not tie tourniques or use ice
• Never clean out or tamper with the site of the bite
• Never try and catch the snake or kill it

• Make sure the victim and others are a safe distance away from the snake and try to memorise its appearance
• Stay CALM and in control.  Take charge of the situation and reassure the victim
• Remove watches, rings, bangles and anything else that will become constrictive if the wound causes swelling
• Try to immobilise the victim.  Never let him/her run and only allow him/her to walk if unavoidable.
• In case of neuro-toxic bites (Cobras, King Cobras, kraits, coral snakes and sea snakes), pressure immobilization (Sutherland method) with long crepe or other stretchy bandage(5-10 cm wide, several rolls) and splint to be applied immediately to the bitten limb, starting at the digits and working up to the groin or armpit.  
• Do not waste time trying to get any elaborate first-aid done.
• Get to a hospital as soon as is safely possible.
• Note the time of the bite and the progression of any visible symptoms.
• Give the doctor details of the bite and symptoms.

• Take care when clearing vegetation, raking dry leaves in your garden.  Supervise kids in the outdoors, especially in a green neighbourhood.
• Use torch/flashlight in the night and wear shoes while going out.  Check shoes before wearing them.
• Watch your step and see before you sit.
• Keep your backyard free of junk and make sure your solid waste is managed properly.
• If you see a snake, do nothing.  Let it go.  Do not try to pick it up or kill it.  If a snake has entered your premises, call professional snake rescuers.

• Do not cross the path between a mother and her infant
• Do  not irritate or tease monkeys.   Leave them alone and they will leave you alone.
• Be light footed while passing through a monkey group i.e. do not run.
• Do not go near a dead or wounded monkey.
• Do not feed monkeys.  If anybody found feeding monkeys, necessary legal action shall be initiated.
• In case a monkey collides with your vehicle,(two wheelers especially) do not stop there.
• Do not get scared if a monkey makes a'Kho-Kho' noise as normally it is a bluff.  Ignore the monkey and walk away calmly.
• Do not ever hit any monkey.   Keep hitting the ground with a big stick to make monkeys leave your house or garden.
• Presence of big dogs in premises makes monkeys leave the area.
• Monkeys are scared of snakes.  Keep real looking plastic snakes at roof tops or boundary wall of your house. 
• Loud noise, bursting of crackers or their sound track will force monkeys to keave any premises. 
• If a monkey tries to touch you, gently put an object or board firmly between you and monkey.Do not make direct eye contact with monkeys

Biodiversity

Biodiversityis the degree of variation of life forms within a given species, ecosystem,biome, or planet. Terrestrial biodiversity tends to be highest at low latitudesnear the equator, which seems to be the result of the warm climate and highprimary productivity. Marine biodiversity tends to be highest along coasts inthe Western Pacific, where sea surface temperature is highest and in mid-latitudinalband in all oceans. Biodiversity generally tends to cluster in hotspots, andhas been increasing through time but will be likely to slow in the future.

Theperiod since the emergence of humans has displayed an ongoing biodiversityreduction and an accompanying loss of genetic diversity. Named the Holoceneextinction, the reduction is caused primarily by human impacts, particularlyhabitat destruction. Conversely, biodiversity impacts human health in a numberof ways, both positively and negatively.

TheUnited Nations designated 2011-2020 as the United Nations Decade onBiodiversity.

Backgroundof Project Biodiversity Park

I have beena student of Natural Science for more than two decades. It started when I wentto my undergraduate college in 1997 to study Botany and it’s still on when I amearning my livelihood as an Environmental Professional. Being a student ofnatural science I wanted to pay tribute to Mother Nature and I have chosen todo it by making replica of different terrestrial biodiversity model throughoutthis entire decade designated for Biodiversity.

Underthis project I have decided to make following seven different models withreplica of different animal species and their natural habitat:

1.    Mountain Forest

2.    Rain Forest

3.    Savanna Forest

4.    Polar Biodiversity

5.    Desert Biodiversity

6.    Countryside Farmhouse and

7.    Jurassic Park

Thisreport describes all the above mentioned models. All the information in thisreport is taken from Wikipedia, myfavourite website. In this report the first photographs of every chapter are ofmy hand made models and second photographs are taken from various websites.

Theanimal replicas are the products of Naturepavillionand scenic materials are bought from Woodlandscenicsand other regular local craft shops.

I have already made first three models and they are available for display in face book (https://www.facebook.com/arnab.basu.773/media_set?set=a.740265559317395.1073741828.100000018743674&type=1)