Croc nesting: Bhitarkanika National Park to be closed from May 1

Kendrapara: A three-month ban on entry of tourists and visitors to Bhitarkanika National Park will be imposed from May 1 to July 31 in view of the mating season of salt water crocodiles.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika National Park Bimal Prasanna Acharya informed that the objective behind the ban is to ensure the safety of humans and provide a congenial environment to the crocodiles.

During the ban period, tourists will be restricted in crocodile infested areas at Bhitarkanika, Dangamala and Ragadapati forest blocks.

Such prohibition order on the tourists is imposed every year during the nesting and breeding time as the tourists and visitors might disturb the tranquil environment of the crocodile inside the National Park.

As per the census carried out in January this year, there are 1,698 salt water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika river system.