Rajnagar: The Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) and Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary under this block in Kendrapara district will remain closed for tourists and locals for a period of three months from May 1 to July 31 in view of the mating and nesting season of saltwater crocodiles. Domestic and foreign tourists will not be allowed to visit the crocodile-infested areas during the breeding season of the crocodiles. This was stated by DFO Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav of Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), Rajnagar to media persons here, Saturday.
Entry of visitors will be restricted at Bhitarkanika, Dangamala and Ragadapati forest blocks under Bhitarkanika. The restrictions are imposed every year during the mating season as noise created by boats and intrusion of visitors can disturb the reptiles’ breeding and nesting activities. The reptiles build their nests at safe spots about 3 feet from the shore or river banks inside mangrove forests or Kharkhari leaves. Female crocodiles build nests to lay their eggs and if they sense any harm during this period they do not mind attacking to save their eggs. Forest officials said once the reptiles are disturbed during the nesting and breeding period they become more violent and the majority of crocodiles-attack occur during the nesting season. Local forest dwellers have also been prohibited from entering the area for the collection of forest produce such as honey and firewood.
Notably, Bhitarkanika is located in the estuarial region of BrahmaniBaitarani rivers in Kendrapara district. It is the only rainforest in the state famous for estuarine crocodiles. The BNP authority spotted 122 nests of estuarine crocodiles in the Kanika, Gahirmatha, Mahakalapara, and Rajnagar wildlife forest ranges during last year’s census. As many as 1,793 estuarine crocodiles inhabited and outside the water bodies of Rajnagar Mangrove Division (Wildlife) as per the status survey report of estuarine crocodile-2023.