Bhitarkanika To Remain Closed From Jan 6 For Crocodile, Bird Census

Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district will remain closed for the tourists from January 6 to 14 for the annual census of saltwater estuarine crocodiles and migratory birds.

Talking to the media, DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove (Forest) and Wildlife Division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya, said the decision to close down the park has been taken to prevent the noise pollution during the census drive of the estuarine crocodile to facilitate the operation smoothly in a tranquil atmosphere.

He said a total of eight teams under the direct supervision of the well-known crocodile expert of Odisha Dr Sudhakar Kar will be engaged in the crocodile census.

The teams assisted by trained local forest staff will cover the Bhitarkanika river system besides innumerable creeks, water inlets and nullahs where the reptiles are found in abundance during the census.

Besides, 12 teams will be engaged for the head count of the migratory birds in the wetland areas of the park including Raipatia, Mathadia, Guptighata, Hansinaghata and Batighara, Acharya said.

The team members participating in the nine-day census will be trained on January 5, the DFO informed.