Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park authorities have decided to organise the annual head count drive of the estuarine crocodile coming January 6 to 14, 2019.
As a result, the Park is going to remain closed during this stipulated period for the tourists, said Bimal prasanna Acharya, the DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove (Forest) and wildlife Division.
The prohibition order on the visitors is going to be imposed during this stipulated period with an aim to prevent the noise pollution during the census drive of estuarine crocodile to facilitate the operation smoothly in a tranquil atmosphere, added DFO, Acharya.
The head count drive of Salt water crocodile will be organised under the supervision of wildlife personnel and crocodile researchers and experts. As many as 20 enumeration teams are going to be formed to count the crocodiles.
The enumerators will be assisted by the trained local forest staff who are going to cover the Bhitarkanika river system besides innumerable creeks, water inlets and nullahs where the reptiles are found in abundant during the census.
The salt water crocodile, being amphibious in nature, can be counted directly both on lands while basking on the river bed and on water surfaces while floating. During day time crocodiles basking on land are easier to count and their size class can be estimated easily and accurately.
During night, crocodiles floating on water or resting on land can be counted by using a spot light and catching the reflected ‘rubby red” glow from their eyes. However, during the day time or night census, only a proportion of crocodiles will be visible at any one time, others will be submerged on water.
This proportion is dependent on many factors such as ambient temperature, rainfall, clouds and degree of disturbances. The entire day and night census operation will be monitored and supervised by the Technical expert, deputed from the Wildlife Headquarters, said Acharya, the DFO.
During the last annual crocodile census, at least 1,698 number of salt water (Estuarine) crocodiles, including three reptiles measuring more than 20 feet, had reportedly been sighted in and outside the water bodies of Rajnagar Mangrove forest Division(wildlife) during the head count drive of estuarine crocodile -2018 by the Bhitarkanika Forest personnel.
PNN