Kendrapada: The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapada district will remain closed for the tourists for nine days from Tuesday for the annual census of saltwater crocodiles.
According to official sources, the National Park will be out of bounds for the visitors till January 22. The Forest department is engaging as many as 22 teams comprising around 100 people to conduct the counting of the crocodiles.
In order to carry out accurate counting, the department will use soundless boats and enforce the ban on visitors to prevent disturbances.
The teams comprising forest officials, wildlife researchers and trained locals will be involved in the operation. Around 100 people are being trained with specialised counting methods for the exercise, said a senior Forest department official.
While Bhitarkanika will remain closed from Tuesday, counting will take place from January 19 to 21. The gap days will allow water in the rivers to stabilise and the crocodiles to be calm in their natural habitat,” he said.
Stating that the census time was suitably selected for accurate counting of the reptiles. Peak winter conditions, exposed mud banks, and favourable lunar cycle are ideal for sighting the crocodiles. The teams will conduct both day and night surveys across the park’s river systems, creeks, and water inlets, he added.
Prominent crocodile researcher Dr Sudhakar Kar has been recruited to oversee the census. Modern technology, including GPS for location mapping, thermometers for water temperature measurement, and digital cameras for photographic documentation are being used for the census.
It may be noted that a total of 1,811 crocodiles had been counted in the National Park in the previous census conducted in January 2024, the sources said.
