Bhitarkanika National Park Reopens For Tourists’ Night Halt

Kendrapada: The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapada district was reopened for the tourists for night halt on Thursday.

Briefing the media, DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division, Bikash Ranjan Das said the tourists, who have booked for staying at 16 eco cottages in the Nature Camps at Dangamal for a night halt, will be allowed. Besides, those willing to stay at the Nature camp will have to book their reservations on the Odisha Ecotourism website www.ecotourodisha.com .

However, there is no instruction from the Forest Department to allow the general visitors, he added.

The DFO further said that each cottage and boat in the park will be sanitised while the tourists have been asked to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.

Protesting the decision of the authorities, people in the nearby areas of Bhitarkanika have demanded the Forest Department to allow the general visitors to the park failing which they will stage a mass demonstration.

Notably, the Park had remained shut since March 17 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.