3-Day Crocodile Census Begins In Odisha’s Satkosia; Entry Of Visitors Banned

Bhubaneswar: A three-day crocodile census operation kicked off in Mahanadi and other water bodies in Satkosia wildlife area of Odisha’s Angul district on Monday.

The exercise launched by the Forest department to count crocodiles will continue from January 6 to 8, officials said.

In view of the census operation, Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary will remain closed to tourists and fishermen during this period. Boating in the Mahanadi will remain closed from Monday till the morning of January 9.

As many as 14 teams of the Forest department have been engaged in the crocodile counting exercise.

While 5 employees are being deployed in each sector, a total of 70 personnel have been for the counting exercise, according to Satkosia Wildlife Division Officer Saroj Panda.

Notably, crocodile census is conducted in the winter season every year as reptiles come out of the water and sleep on the river banks during the cold season. Forest Department personnel will count crocodiles in the Mahanadi River with the help of binoculars and cameras in small boats or specially-made canoes.