The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district will remain closed to visitors from January 5 to 13 in view of the annual census of the saltwater crocodiles and birds.
The enumerators assisted by trained local forest staff and some herpetologists would cover the Bhitarkanika river system besides innumerable creeks, water inlets and nullahs.
The counting will be held in five ranges including Mahakalapada, Rajanagar, Gahiramatha, Kania and river and creeks.
A total of 22 teams will be engaged in the exercise.
Rajnagar District Forest Officer (DFO) Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav said the staff will be imparted training about the method of counting reptiles on January 9. The counting will begin for three days starting January 10. Efforts will be made to count all crocodiles in the park.
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