Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park which has been closed since May 1 will reopen for tourists from August 1, official sources informed Tuesday. They stated that all preparations have been completed in the wildlife sanctuary to facilitate the visits by tourists. However, they also informed that tourists will not be allowed to enter the park premises if they are carrying polythene bags.
The park was closed for visitors from May 1 to July 31 as it was the breeding season of saltwater crocodiles. Now with the breeding season of crocodiles over, the decision to open the Bhitarkanika National Park has been taken.
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It should also be stated here that in the last counting of the crocodiles a slight increase in their numbers have come to the fore. A total of 1,784 crocodiles were found during the annual reptile census conducted in January this year as compared to 1,768 in 2021. This augurs well for the park, officials informed.