Rajnagar: The Bhitarkanika National Park will remain closed for ten days from January 8 on account of the census of saltwater crocodiles and migratory birds.
“There will be no movement of the tourists and ferrying of boats in and around the Park periphery during the census which will conclude on January 17,” Bimal Prasanna Acharya, DFO of Rajnagar Wildlife Division, informed.
The DFO further said as per the last year’s census the total number of saltwater crocodiles found in the rivers, creeks, estuaries, accumulated land and backwaters in the Park was 1665 while 1,13,226 migratory birds were sighted at different locations inside the park premises.
“The number of both the species was higher than the census conducted in 2013”, he added.
Notably, the Park is home to over 215 species of birds, including winter migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia.
It is the second largest viable mangrove eco system in India having more than 71 species of mangrove and its associates.
Acharya also informed that as decided by the Forest department, the Park, unlike previous years, will remain open in the New Year.
“Earlier, we used to conduct the crocodile and bird census during the New Year. But considering the substantial rise in the number of tourists during the period, we have decided to conduct the census in the second week of January,” he pointed out.