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Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary – The Largest Turtle Breeding Place Of Asia
Wildlife conservation is one of the noteworthy features of international tourism and global conservation of natural biodiversity etc. Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary is one of the most appreciated Indian initiatives for the preservation and scientific research and observation of turtles. Giant Olive Ridley sea turtles are categorized into the endangered category of amphibians and from that context also, this turtle sanctuary is a great endeavor for wildlife conservation. Located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Dharma River, at the Kendrapara district of Orissa, this Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary is one of the largest breeding spots of these rare Olive Ridley sea turtles.
The sanctuary, as I was informed, has some other ecological importance as well. It is one of the three natural spots which are known as spontaneous breeding places of Olive Ridley sea turtles. Gahirmatha Coast is maintained as a restricted area as the coast is the nestling place of Giant Sea Turtles and it has been declared as a world heritage site. This turtle sanctuary is spread over an area of 1435 sq km; apart from the availability of plenty of sea fishes, the area is known for its unique wildlife display also.
The Best Time To Visit The Turtle Sanctuary
The best and most convenient time to visit this turtle sanctuary is an intermediate period between October and February as the climate remains calm and quiet during this time. It is always better to avoid the rainy season as heavy rainfall may come as a great hindrance to enjoying the turtle sanctuary as well as the nearby National Park of wildlife conservation. We went there in March, and we felt wonderful although some of my friends had to suffer from scorching heat when they visited the turtle sanctuary in April.
Other Attractions Near Turtle Sanctuary
There are some old temples near this sanctuary-like Dangmal, Ratnagiri, Udaygiri, Lalitgiri Buddhist complex, etc., which are pretty old by their chronological age. These temples are Shiva temples and some of them are declared as 9th century old. While you will be at this sanctuary visit, do not miss these places.
The wild animals found in the nearby Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park are wild boar, Bears, leopard, crocodile, jungle, Samber, Wild dog, Chinkara, wild boar, Blue bull, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, etc. This national park is the second-largest of the most popular mangrove natural ecosystem in India. We had been to this place also and it indeed worth visiting.
How To Reach The Place
Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary can be reached by roadways, waterways, airways, and railways.
Roadways – all major towns of Orissa are connected to this place; travels may avail Volvo bus services or they can hire luxury sedans to reach their destination according to their discretion and budget.
Waterways – traveling by safe waterways is one of the newly added attractions of this sanctuary. Tourists may avail boats from Gupta, Ragnagar, and Chandabali to reach Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary.
Bhubaneswar airport is the nearest airport to this turtle sanctuary. Those who want to avail airway may come up to this airport by air and then hire a cab to reach a sanctuary. The turtle sanctuary is 75 km away from Bhubaneswar.
Bhadrak Railway Junction is the nearest railway station, and it is 49 km away from this turtle sanctuary. Tourists may avail trains from Cuttack, Balasore, and Bhubaneswar also to reach Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary.
You can plan your next vacation at Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary. I bet you will pat your own back for your selection, once you will be there.