National Park

Fact Sheet

Mangalajodi is a village at the northern edge of Chilika Lake. Its vast wetlands attract thousands of migratory birds, journey from as far different places of the world. Its wetlands now host more than 1.5 lakhs of birds in the peak season. Mangalajodi is well known to the best birders in India. Its importance as a significant global wetland habitat and declared as an International Bird Conservation Area.

The present generation of inhabitants of Mangalajodi village recount that this wetland has been a winter home for migratory birds for as far back as they can remember. These birds arrive in the region by the middle of October. The marshy wetlands interspersed with reeds and vegetation and expanses of water running through the channels provide food and shelter to these waterfowls and raptors until they start moving to their breeding grounds by February-March.

A community owned and managed wildlife conservation venture, Mangalajodi Ecotourism that hosts more than 3,00,000 birds in its marshy waters, especially in winters. Mangalajodi also represents one of its kind ecosystems, whose protection is epitomised by a sustainable lifestyle that is at a brink of extinction in urban settings.

Avifauna : Lesser Whistling-Duck, Garganey, Ruddy Shelduck, Little Grebe, Northern Shoveler, Knob-billed Duck, Gadwall, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Asian Palm-Swift, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Gray-headed Swamphen, Watercock, Baillon's Crake, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana are worth mention. Beside those birds Slaty-breasted Rail, Pacific Golden-Plover, Greater Painted-Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Common Snipe, Collared Pratincole, Oriental Pratincole, Brown-headed Gull, Whiskered Tern, Little Cormorant, Yellow Bittern, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Osprey, White-throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Citrine Wagtail are also seen here

Best Time : Nov- February

Fauna : Most famous for its elephants and tigers, Bandipur is also known for its large gaur (wild buffaloes) population, leopards, wild dogs, loth bear, Muntjac, wild boar.

Avi Fauna : More than 230 species of birds have been recorded here that include birds of prey - Serpent Eagles, Shaheen Falcons, Crested Hawk Eagles, Ospreys, Honey Buzzard.Other species include Cormorants, Egret, Grey Heron, and Spotbill, Red-wattled Lapwings, White-throated and Common Kingfisher, wagtails Gray Headed Firhings, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Stork, Egret, Kite, Peafowl, Lapwing, Sandpiper, Drongo etc

Shortest Route : Fly to Bhubaneswar and drive to Mangalajodi

Nearby : Chilika & Nalban (50 km)

State : Odisha

Area : 12 sq. km

Altitude:

Vegetation : Emergent vegetation & reeds

Major City: Bhubaneshwar (70 km)

Airport : Bhubaneshwar (70 km)

Railway Station : Puri (50 km)