The Odisha Biodiversity Board (OBB) with cooperation of the State Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department organised training programmes for eco-guides and naturalists in Rissia Nature Camp and Bichitrapur Nature Camp of Baleswar recently.

The Red ghost crabs are found in large numbers near Bichitrapur, apart from other flora and fauna.

Chairman, Odisha Biodiversity Board, Rajiv Kumar, a nature lover who has always been at the forefront of eco-tourism promotion, has directed to organise more such training programmes.

Kumar has advised the trainers to make aware the eco-guides about the nature and flora and fauna, so that they will be able to present details to the tourists.

The Bichitrapur nature camp is situated between Odisha and West Bengal border. The adult Red Ghost Crabs dig deep burrows, comprising a long shaft with a chamber at the end, occasionally with a second entrance shaft.

They remain in the burrow during the hottest part of the day and throughout the coldest part of the winter to retain their body humidity. They emerge from the burrow mostly at night to feed on mole crabs and coquina. They also eat a wide range of items, including carrion, debris and turtle hatchlings.

Rissia Nature Camp is situated inside the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary where the Rissia dam is a major attraction for the tourists and a favourable habitat of migratory birds during winter season. Wolf, Indian Gaur, Chital, barking deer, hyena, sambar, wild pig could be detected around the camp.

The place is unique for the presence of natural and planted mangrove forests situated close to the mouth of river Subarnarekha.