Bhubaneswar: Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapada district will remain out of bounds for tourists for three days from January 8-10 in view of the annual census of saltwater crocodiles.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Varadaraj Gaonkar stated that the three-day closure will ensure minimal disturbance during the counting exercise. “The enumerators, supported by trained local forest staff and experts including
renowned herpetologist Sudhakar Kar, will survey the extensive Bhitarkanika river system, along with numerous creeks, water inlets, and nullahs,” he explained.
At least 22 teams will participate in this year’s count, and measure water temperature using thermometers, employ GPS for precise location tracking, and use digital cameras to capture time stamped images, which will help researchers to estimate the crocodiles’ length and age.
The Forest department will deploy soundless boats for the nighttime surveys for accurate results as it allows easier identification of hatchlings and yearlings through eye-shine detection.
The last survey had found a marginal increase in the population of saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika. A total of 1,826 crocodiles were sighted in January 2025 as against 1,811 the previous year.