Bhubaneswar, Jan 4: To facilitate the crocodile census, Odisha’s Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary will remain closed to tourists from January 6 to 8. The census, scheduled during these three days, will be carried out by 14 dedicated teams comprising 70 Forest Department personnel.

In addition to the crocodile census, boating services in the Mahanadi River will be suspended on January 17 and 18 to conduct bird counting. The Forest Department has arranged for country boats and other resources to ensure the smooth and efficient execution of the census operations.

Spread across 795.52 square kilometers in the Angul, Budh, Cuttack, and Nayagarh districts, Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is a crucial habitat for mugger crocodiles. These reptiles are listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, granting them the highest level of legal protection.

Since 1982, muggers have been categorized as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts.

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