Bhitarkanika National Park is a large national park in northeast Kendrapara district in Odisha in eastern India. It was designated on 16 September 1998 and obtained the status of a Ramsar site on 19 August 2002. The area is also been designated as second Ramsar site of the State after the Chilika Lake. It is surrounded by Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, which spread over . Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary are to the east, separating swamp region and mangroves from the Bay of Bengal. The national park and wildlife sanctuary is inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala. It hosts many mangrove species, and is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India. The national park is home to Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Indian python, king cobra, black ibis, darters and many other species of flora and fauna. Wildlife Flora Mangroves are salt-tolerant, complex, and dynamic eco-systems that occur in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions. Bhitarkanika is one such location of rich, lush green vibrant ecosystem lying in the estuarine region of Brahmani - Baitarani in the North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara district of Odisha. The area is intersected by a network of creeks with the Bay of Bengal on the East. The alley between the meandering creeks and rivers houses the second largest viable mangrove eco-system of India. Its 672 km² of mangrove forest and wetland provides a home to well over 215 birds, including winter migrants from central Asia and Europe. Giant saltwater crocodiles and a variety of other wildlife inhabit this ecosystem, one of Asia's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. An area of 145 km² has been notified as Bhitarkanika National Park vide Notification No.19686/F in September 1998 by the government of Odisha. It has much significance about ecological, geomorphological, and biological background which includes mangrove forests, rivers, creeks, estuaries, backwater, accreted land, and mudflats. Bhitarkanika National Park is the core area of Bhitarkanika Sanctuary. Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary was declared vide notification No.6958/FF AH on 22 April 1975 over an area of 672 km². The Sanctuary comprising mangrove forests meandering rivers, innumerable crisscrossed tidal inundated creeks provide the last refuge to the already endangered salt water crocodile (Crocodilus porosus). The sanctuary is rich in avifauna, mammalian, and reptilians and provides habitat for king cobra, Indian python, and Asian water monitor. Many water birds visit Bagagahan heronry, an area of approximately 4 ha within the Bhitarkanika Forest Block near Suajore creek