SunstarTV Bureau: Bhitarkanika National Park is going to remain close for tourists and visitors for nine days from January 15 to 23, for annual census of crocodiles.
The head count of the crocodiles will be carried out under the supervision of wildlife personnel, crocodile researchers and experts.
According to the Divisional Forest Officer, Bhitarkanika Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Bikash Ranjan Dash, The national park will be closed during the period to ensure the smooth and human interference-free census operation. Any form of human activity would come in the way of the meticulous census of these reptiles. That’s why the curb on tourists’ footfall has been imposed.
Bhitarkanika is said to house 70 per cent of India’s estuarine crocodile or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
