Why in news? The annual census of dolphins began in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika national park and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary

Highlights

• Team is equipped with binoculars, GPS sets, rangefinders and data recording sheets for a foolproof headcount of the dolphins
• The exercise was being conducted using the ‘Transact Survey Method’, followed in worldwide
• The Odisha coast has emerged as an ideal habitat for dolphins with an impressive rise of 33% in their population in the last census.
• Six species of dolphins– Irrawaddy, Bottlenose, Humpback, Striped, Finless and Spinner — were recorded during the last census

Bhitarkanika National Park

• Location: Northeast Kendrapara district in Odisha in eastern India.
• It has obtained the status of a Ramsar site
• Surrounded by Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary are to the east, separating swamp region and mangroves from the Bay of Bengal
• Rivers: Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala.
• It hosts many mangrove species, and is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
• Flora /fauna: Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, king cobra, black ibis, darters

Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

• It is a marine wildlife sanctuary located in Odisha
• World’s largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley Turtles.
• Rivers: Extends from Dhamra River in the north to Brahmani river south.
• One of the world’s most important nesting beaches for turtles.