Kendrapada: In view of the breeding season of estuarine crocodiles, Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapada district will remain out of bounds for tourists and visitors for three months (May 1 to July 31) from Sunday.
The prohibition is usually imposed at Bhitarkanika, Dangamala and Ragadapati forest blocks of the wildlife sanctuary to allow disturbance-free annual nesting of crocodiles, which lays eggs on the surface. The ban on tourists is necessary as human interference can turn crocodiles violent.
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Local forest dwellers have also been prohibited from entering the area for collecting honey and firewood.
Notably, Bhitarkanika houses 70 per cent of India’s estuarine crocodiles or saltwater crocodiles.
