Bhubaneswar, June 14: After retiring from his career as a diplomat, Abasar Beuria is now working towards highlighting the tourism prospects of the state.
Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan yesterday launched Bhitarkanika: The Mesmerising Mangrove, Beuria's book on the bio-diversity of the state's popular eco-tourism spot, Bhitarkanika National Park.
Bhitarkanika is home to the largest population of giant salt-water crocodile in the country. It is also home to over 215 species of birds, including eight varieties of kingfishers. The second largest viable mangrove ecosystem in the country, the national park harbours more than 70 species of mangroves. Besidse, Gahirmatha, an area inside the park, is known to be one of the largest rookeries for olive ridley sea turtles.
"The book has an updated list on the various species of mammals and birds at the site. It also provides details on the characteristics and the habitats of those species," said Beuria. He hopes the book will be helpful in research and prove beneficial to environmentalists.
Basudev Pal Mazundar has assisted Beuria for the pictorial descriptions in the book.It would soon be available at various bookstores across the state. "We are also planning to launch it on online portals," said Beuria.
