Environment

Bhitarkanika National Park to Remain Close for Annual Crocodile Census from Jan 5

Kendrapada: In preparation for the yearly census of saltwater crocodiles, Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapada district will enforce a nine-day restriction on tourist entry starting this Friday.

A dedicated team of 22 enumerators, supported by trained local forest staff and herpetologists, including renowned crocodile researcher Sudhakar Kar, will cover the river system, creeks, water inlets, and nullahs during the census. Rivers and canals in Mahakalapada, Rajnagar, Gahirmatha, and Kania will be covered.

The Forest Department will utilize soundless boats and prohibit visitor access to prevent noise pollution that could disrupt the counting process.

The teams are likely to use GPS technology to map the exact locations of crocodiles, using digital cameras for photographic interpretation, including the date and time, to measure the length and age of the reptiles.

In 2023, a  total of 1,793 crocodiles were recorded while in 2022 it was 1,784.

Bureau The News Hashtag

Recent Posts

Odisha Pushes for Stronger Women-Led Urban Livelihoods Through Mission Shakti–NULM Convergence

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to strengthen women-led urban livelihoods, the Housing & Urban Development…

23 hours ago

Konark Festival 2025 Showcases Odissi, Kathakali and Global Sand Art on Day Three

Konark: The third evening of the Konark Festival 2025 unfolded with vibrant cultural splendour as…

23 hours ago

Odisha Celebrates Birth Anniversary of Freedom Fighter Maa Ramadevi

Bhubaneswar: The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, in collaboration with the Odisha Sahitya Akademi,…

23 hours ago

Odisha Honoured as Best State for Disability Rights Implementation at National Awards 2025

New Delhi: Odisha has earned national recognition for its outstanding progress in disability rights and…

23 hours ago

Odisha Hosts 37th Sub-Junior National Badminton Championship at Kalinga Stadium

Bhubaneswar: The 37th Sub-Junior National Badminton Championship began today at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, marking…

4 days ago

Odisha Renames Raj Bhavan as ‘Lok Bhavan’, Marking a Shift Toward People-Centric Governance

Bhubaneswar: In a landmark move reflecting Odisha’s commitment to people-centric governance, the iconic Raj Bhavan…

4 days ago