Bhitarkanika authorities ban entry of visitors

Kendrapara: Like every year, entry of visitors into Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) was banned by the forest department from today to avoid disturbance in the nesting and breeding period of estuarine (salt water) crocodiles. The restriction will be in force till July 31.

A senior forest official said the ban is imposed to create a peaceful environment for the reptiles. The reptiles become violent and attack people in the vicinity if they are disturbed during the nesting and breeding period.

Female reptiles lay eggs inside the mangrove forest near the water bodies of the park area and guard them till the emergence of the hatchlings, he added.

More than 1,600 salt water (estuarine) crocodiles are in the Bhitarkanika National Park.