Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha to remain closed for visitors from today

Rajnagar: The famous Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha will remain closed for visitors from today. The gates will be closed for tourists till January 13, i.e., for nine days. The park will remain closed due to the census of saltwater crocodiles.

The counting of the saltwater crocodiles will be done within at four places within five ranges of the Bhitarkanika National Park. It will continue for a period of nine days. The entire process of counting will be overseen by crocodile expert Dr. Sudhakar Kar.

The team of officers assigned for this task will cover all spots where the crocodiles generally reside. The spots include water inlets and creeks. With the help of Huli boats, the counting will be carried out during the mornings and evenings as well.

The DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove and Wildlife Division has informed that the counting will be done in the water inlets adjoining Mahakalpada, Rajnagar, Gahirmatha, and Kania.

Last year, a total of 1,793 crocodiles were found residing within the limits of Bhitarkanika National Park. This year, the number of saltwater crocodiles seems to have increased, said reports from reliable sources.

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