**1. Introduction**

Bhitarkanika is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Asia, the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India after the Sundarbans National Park and is situated in the Kendrapada district of Odisha. It is also the home of diverse flora and fauna, which are intricately linked with each other and are the integral components of eco-tourism destination. The conservation and preservation of flora and fauna in

the study area show an improvement in the vegetation and increase the livelihood of the local people resulting in an increase in the tourist flow to this destination. Bhitarkanika, as an eco-tourism destination, comprises lots of endangered species of flora and fauna that needs immediate attention by different stakeholders especially the government and other stakeholders to conserve and protect. Bhitarkanika is situated in-between the river Brahmani and Baitarani and forms the deltaic region in between these two rivers. This area was originally belonging to the wrest while ruler of Kanika and a large portion of this forest land of this delta was encroached in the later phase due to expansion of agriculture in this region by the local people [1]. From tourism perspective, Bhitarkanika consists of areas including Dangmal, Bagagahan, Gahiramatha, Ekakula, Havalikhati, and mangrove forests, rivers, cricks, mudflats, mammals, reptiles, crocodiles, snakes, birds, etc. It has become a global tourist attraction due to the pride possession of white crocodile [2].
