Bhubaneswar, July 23: The world-famous Bhitarkanika National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Kendrapara district is set to reopen on August 1 after a three-month closure.

According to official reports, visitor entry was restricted for nearly three months to facilitate the smooth breeding and nesting activities of estuarine crocodiles.

With the reopening, a Canopy bridge is being constructed within the park. The Skywalk will be 600 meters long and 15 feet high, made entirely of wood. Additionally, a selfie point has been created in the middle of the Canopy bridge for visitors.

This year’s crocodile nest count has been completed, identifying 114 nests compared to 122 last year. The park was closed from May 1 to ensure the safety of tourists, as the reptiles can become violent during their breeding and nesting periods.

Previously, the park was closed for nine days in January 2024, from January 5th to 13th, to facilitate the annual census of estuarine crocodiles and migratory birds. Crocodile counting took place over three days from January 10th to 12th.

The latest crocodile census recorded a total of 1,811 crocodiles in the Mahanadi River Delta area, including canals and creeks within the sanctuary. This marks an increase of 18 crocodiles compared to last year’s count of 1,793.

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