Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park will remain closed from January 2 to 8 and a dolphin census would be conducted January 20.
BNP authorities are going to organise an annual headcount of estuarine crocodiles and mid-winter fall census of the migratory avian species within the national park January 2 to 8. As a result, the park will remain closed for that time, said Bimal Prasanna Acharya, DFO of Rajnagar.
The prohibition on entry of tourists into the park during this period is to ensure that there is no noise pollution during the time that can distract officials from conducting the census operation smoothly, said Acharya.
The headcount of saltwater crocodiles will be conducted under the supervision of wildlife personnel and crocodile researchers and experts. Enumerators, assisted by trained local forest staff, will cover the Bhitarkanika river system besides innumerable creeks, water inlets, and nullahs where the reptiles are found in abundance during census time.
The saltwater crocodile, being amphibious in nature, can be counted directly both on land, while basking on the river bed, and on water surfaces while floating. During daytime, crocodiles basking on land are easier to count and their size and class can be estimated easily and accurately. At night, crocodiles floating on water or resting on land can be counted by using a spotlight and catching the reflected ‘ruby red’ glow from their eyes.
However, either during day or at night, only a small percentage of crocodiles will be visible at any given time as many crocodiles will be submerged in water. This proportion is dependent on many factors such as ambient temperature, rainfall, clouds and degree of disturbances, stated Acharya.
Crocodile researcher Dr Sudhar Kar and Siba Prasad Das would provide training to the enumerators December 16. All the DFOs for the first time would join January 7 for assisting the enumerator in the headcount drive. In this regard, directives have been issued to all the DFOs of the state, said Akhaya Kumar Nayak, ranger of Kanika Forest Range.
During the last annual crocodile census, as many as 1,665 estuarine crocodiles, including three reptiles measuring more than 20 feet, were sighted in and outside the water bodies of Bhitarakanika National Park, said Nayak.
Similarly, January 20, forest personnel will organise a dolphin status survey from Dhamara to the Devi rivermouth on the Orissa coast, coming under Bhitarkanika National Park limits, said Acharya. PNN