Kendrapara, Dec 7: For annual census of estuarine crocodiles, the Bhitarkanika National Park here will be closed from Jan 2 to Jan 8. It’s stated that teams will be sent to count the reptile and so boating and tourists’ entry have been restricted for a week. Counting of crocodiles will be undertaken in Rajnagar, Dangmal, Gahirmatha and Mahakalpada ranges.
This assignment will be conducted under the supervision of Wildlife personnel. The head count drive of the endangered estuarine crocodiles would be conducted under the supervision of wildlife personnel. There has been a rise in the crocodile population after the Ministry of Environment and Forests conducted a breeding and rearing project in Dangamala within the national park. In Jan 2016, the forest officials had conducted the head count where around 1, 671 salt water crocodiles were known in the national park which was 1,665 during the corresponding time last year.
Similarly, the head counting of migratory birds will be undertaken in the national park from January 12 and the head counting of dolphins would be conducted at the Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha area adjoining to the Bay of Bengal from Jan 20. Enumeration is also undertaken in Mathabadia, Kalibhanjia, Bagagahan, Satbhaya, Gahirmatha areas.
All this was informed by the Forest Department AFG, Pradosh Kumar Patnaik.
