![\"Bhitarkanika](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Source-ResearchGate.jpg?resize=387%2C351&ssl=1\")
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- Location<\/strong>: Bhitarkanika National Park<\/strong> is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Surrounded by:<\/strong> The park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, while Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary<\/strong> lie to the east near the Bay of Bengal.<\/li>\n
- Mangrove Ecosystem: <\/strong>Bhitarkanika is India\u2019s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans<\/strong> and spreads across 672 sq. km.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- River Network: <\/strong>The park is formed on the delta of the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra rivers<\/strong> and contains creeks, canals, estuaries, backwaters, and mudflats.<\/li>\n
- Intertidal Ecosystem: <\/strong>The vegetation and species of the park are mainly found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions<\/strong>, while proximity to the Bay of Bengal makes the soil saline.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fauna:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Saltwater Crocodiles: <\/strong>The park supports the largest congregation<\/strong> of endangered saltwater crocodiles<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n
- Olive Ridley Turtles: Gahirmatha Beach<\/strong> near the park supports the largest colony of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Unique Bird Habitat: <\/strong>The Bagagahana heronry near Surajpore creek<\/strong> attracts thousands of birds for nesting and is an important ecological feature of the park.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Flora<\/strong>: Bhitarkanika features more than 60 mangrove species,<\/strong> including Avicennia and Sundari<\/strong>, along with casuarinas and grasses such as the indigo bush.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Conservation Status<\/strong>: Bhitarkanika<\/strong> is recognised as a Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park, and Ramsar Site<\/strong> because of its rich mangrove ecosystem and biodiversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About Microplastics<\/h2>\n
![\"Microplastics\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Source-MDPI.jpg?resize=376%2C308&ssl=1\")
Source – MDPI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n - \n
- Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres<\/strong> that persist in nature and accumulate in ecosystems.<\/li>\n
- Types of Microplastics:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Primary Microplastics:<\/strong> These are intentionally manufactured small particles used<\/strong> in cosmetics, synthetic textiles, fishing nets, and commercial products.<\/li>\n
- Secondary Microplastics:<\/strong> These are formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items<\/strong> like bottles due to sunlight, ocean waves, and mechanical forces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Applications:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Medical and Pharmaceutical<\/strong>: Microplastics are used in drug delivery systems because they can absorb and release chemicals effectively.<\/li>\n
- Industrial<\/strong>: They are used in air-blasting technology and synthetic textile production.<\/li>\n
- Personal Care Products:<\/strong> They are present in facial scrubs, toothpaste, and cosmetics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Impacts of Microplastics:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Environmental Impact:<\/strong> Microplastics reduce soil quality, disturb nutrient cycles, accumulate in rivers and oceans<\/strong>, and carry toxic pollutants.<\/li>\n
- Bioaccumulation<\/strong>: Microplastics are ingested by marine organisms and gradually accumulate through the food chain, affecting higher predators.<\/li>\n
- Impact on Animals: <\/strong>They cause reduced fertility, stunted growth, and cell damage in aquatic and terrestrial organisms.<\/li>\n
- Human Health Impact:<\/strong> Microplastics are linked with inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and accumulation in organs like the brain, lungs, and heart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- India\u2019s Regulations:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Plastic Waste Management Rules:<\/strong> India introduced Plastic Waste Management Rules in 2016, 2018, 2024 and 2026<\/strong> to manage plastic waste.<\/li>\n
- Ban on Single-Use Plastics:<\/strong> India banned items such as plastic straws and cutlery to reduce plastic pollution.<\/li>\n
- India Plastics Pact:<\/strong> It encourages industries to reduce plastic use<\/strong> and improve recycling<\/strong> practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Global Actions:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- UNEA (UN Environment Assembly) Resolution<\/strong>: It mandated the creation of the Global Plastics Treaty to address plastic pollution<\/strong>, including microplastics.<\/li>\n
- International Cooperation:<\/strong> Plastic pollution is also addressed through UN Ocean Conferences, WTO discussions, and the Basel Conventions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
News: A new study found microplastics with heavy metals in sediments at all 20 sampled sites within and around Bhitarkanika sanctuary. About Bhitarkanika National Park Location: Bhitarkanika National Park is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha. Surrounded by: The park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, while Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary lie… Continue reading Bhitarkanika National Park and Microplastics<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1566,4182,1738,12039,11211],"tags":[11872],"class_list":["post-362293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-daily-factly-articles","category-environment","category-science-and-technology-daily-factly-articles","category-knolls","category-places-in-news","tag-9pm-daily-factly","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/362293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=362293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/362293\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=362293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=362293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=362293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- International Cooperation:<\/strong> Plastic pollution is also addressed through UN Ocean Conferences, WTO discussions, and the Basel Conventions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- Ban on Single-Use Plastics:<\/strong> India banned items such as plastic straws and cutlery to reduce plastic pollution.<\/li>\n
- Bioaccumulation<\/strong>: Microplastics are ingested by marine organisms and gradually accumulate through the food chain, affecting higher predators.<\/li>\n
- Industrial<\/strong>: They are used in air-blasting technology and synthetic textile production.<\/li>\n
- Secondary Microplastics:<\/strong> These are formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items<\/strong> like bottles due to sunlight, ocean waves, and mechanical forces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Types of Microplastics:<\/strong>\n
- Olive Ridley Turtles: Gahirmatha Beach<\/strong> near the park supports the largest colony of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Surrounded by:<\/strong> The park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, while Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary<\/strong> lie to the east near the Bay of Bengal.<\/li>\n