Bhitarkanika closed for tourists in Odisha

Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district will remain closed for tourists from Thursday till January 4 in view of the annual census of crocodiles. Census of migratory birds will also be carried out during the period.
The ban on entry of visitors was imposed every year to help prevent noise pollution during the counting of the reptiles.
“Boating by tourists can disturb crocodiles which will subsequently affect the census process, for which entry to the national park has been prohibited,”said Rajnagar DFO Bikash Ranjan Das.
He also said that visitors can enjoy their stay in the resort and also enjoy a Boat Cruise to Udabali Sea Beach, Dhamra Port, Dhamrai Temple and Pentha Beach outside Bhitarkanika National Park during this period.
The head count drive of the endangered estuarine crocodiles will be conducted under the supervision of wildlife personnel, crocodile researchers and experts.
They will be assisted by trained local forest staff and some herpetologists. The census will cover Bhitarkanika river system, besides innumerable creeks, water inlets and nullahs, sources said.