Gahirmatha Beach is located in Kendrapara District of Odisha.
Location of Gahirmatha Beach
Gahirmatha Beach is located in Gahirmatha coast in Kendrapara district in Odisha.
Attraction of Gahirmatha Beach
Gahirmatha Beach is the world"s largest nesting beach for olive ridley turtles is packed with pleasure for tourists.
Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary in Gahirmatha Beach
Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary is declared a wildlife sanctuary in Odisha in 1979 and a world heritage site. Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary is significant for turtle conservation.
Geography of Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary
The breathtaking view of Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the converging point of the Dhamra River and Bay of Bengal attracts nature loving tourists. The extensive area of Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary is covered by the sandy beaches- nearly 1,435 square kilometres.
Declaration of Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary
Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared a world heritage site and has slowly attracted attention as an important place in Tourism Department of Odisha.
Flora and Fauna in Gahirmatha Beach
Gahirmatha Beach hosts a variety of flora and fauna. One will find flora like bels, terminenalia, zizphus bija, salaia sal, babul, teak, bamboo and many other varieties in the sanctuary. Although the sanctuary is famous for the giant olive ridleys which travel from as far as the Pacific ocean to nest her, it also hosts the wild boars, barking deers, bears, leopards, crocodiles, jungle fowls, hyenas, wild dogs, four horned antelopes, sloth bears and blue bulls.
Turtles in Gahirmatha Beach
On a clear moonlit night, during the nesting season, one will see thousands of turtles crawling out of the sea, puffing and labouring as they drag themselves towards the beach. They usually select a suitable site, dig a hole in the sand with their flippers, lay nearly 120 eggs each, cover and compact the holes with their own body, sweep out all traces of their visit and crawl back to the sea - all within 45 minutes.
Environment of Gahirmatha Beach
Gahirmatha Beach has the best environment for the breeding of turtles. The environmentalists are of the view that this is indeed one of the nature"s miracles. The State Government of Odisha, assisted by international and regional NGOs has created this safe habitat for giant turtles.
Temple in Gahirmatha Beach
There is a Hindu temple near Gahirmatha Beach that is the Mahadeva Temple. The temple of Lord Shiva or Mahadeva built in the early 9th century in Dangmol is worth visiting. Bhitarkanika Wild Life Sanctuary and national park near the Gahirmatha sanctuary is a major attraction. It is recognized as the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India covering an area of 672 square kilometres.
Forest Area in Gahirmatha Beach
The forest near Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary and Gahirmatha Beach offers shelter to more than 2145 species of birds. It is also recognized as a "crocodile sanctuary" and is home to the biggest population of salt water crocodiles in the country.
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