Kendrapara: Schoolchildren were imparted lessons on forest conservation, fragile ecosystem, incidents of man-animal conflict and global warming at an awareness programme held at Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary.
Students from various schools who were on trip to the national park, took part in the camp. The participants displayed keen interest to know about nature and ecosystem and asked a lot of questions on various topics ranging from wildlife and environment, said a forest official.
The students, who were from Paradip port town, were taught the significance of nature, wildlife and environment.
They were also taken to a field visit at different wetland spots of the national park. "Students asked us questions on various issues to clear their doubts," said Rajnagar forest range officer Amaresh Nath Pradhan.
"The trip to the wildlife sanctuary was absorbing and exciting. We loved the natural beauty of the national park. It was fascinating to watch the rich reserve of mangrove forest ensconced along the water-bodies. We learnt a lot about nature and its significance for survival of mankind. "All 75 students who were a part of the wildlife sanctuary trip actively took part and enjoyed in the awareness drive," said student Madhusmita Rout.
Bhitarakanika is one of the best natural abode for estuarine crocodiles, wild boars, jungle cats, fishing cats, hyenas, sambars, striped palm squirrels, Gangetic dolphins, olive ridley sea turtles, crocodiles, lizards, water monitors, python, and king cobras. Around 166 species of birds have been spotted in the park.
The wildlife sanctuary is one of the richest storehouses of mangrove genes. Researchers have come across 11 of the 70 mangrove species, which were at elevated threat of extinction in the world.
Though its ecosystem and mangrove cover continue to bear the onslaught of human interference from peripheral human settlements, the sanctuary still possesses a rich reservoir of natural vegetation, flora and fauna and luxuriant bio-diversities, said an official in charge at the park.