The book entitled 'Bhitarkanika: Myth and Reality' meets a long felt need for a book on the natural history of Bhitarkanika Sanctuary. Lying in the East Coast of India in the district of Kendrapara, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is Asia's one of the most spectacular wildlife areas. It's 672 Square Kilometre area containing virgin mangrove forests and wetlands provide a home, for well over 170 species of birds including winter migrants from Central Asia and Europe; giant salt water crocodiles and a variety of other wildlife. There are more than 60 species of mangrove plants, which provide home for a variety of rare and endangered fauna. Mangroves form part of an interdependent complex of coastal habitats, protecting the inland from the erosive force of the Sea. They have suffered heavy losses on account of agriculture and shrimp culture all over the world. India, Pakistan and Thailand have already lost at least three fourths of their mangroves. Bhitarkanika being the second largest compact mangrove ecosystem after Sunderbans, is home to diverse flora and fauna. Conversion of forest lands into agriculture fields and shrimp-culture ponds in the past aggravated the management problems. Whereas one of the largest specimens of salt water crocodile live freely on the mud-flats along the meandering creeks of the sanctuary, much remains to be known about this unique habitat. The book serves as a useful introduction to the past history and present management system of Bhitarkanika. The authors present an overall picture of interaction between man, plants and animals occuring in the area with informative photographs, maps and checklist of plants and animals. The first hand information regarding the management problems and solutions makes the book a useful source of reference material for any one who is interested about Bhitarkanika.
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