Kendrapara, Jan 4: The Bhitarkanika National Park, located in Kendrapara district, is set to temporarily close its doors to visitors from January 5 to 13, 2024, owing to the annual census activities focusing on saltwater crocodiles and avian species.

Trained local forest personnel, along with enumerators and herpetologists, will systematically cover the Bhitarkanika river system, along with numerous creeks, water inlets, and nullahs during this period.

The census will span five ranges, namely Mahakalapada, Rajanagar, Gahiramatha, Kania, and the river and creeks, with a total of 22 teams actively participating in the comprehensive survey.

Rajnagar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav stated that staff members will undergo training on reptile counting methods on January 9. The counting process is scheduled to commence on January 10 and will extend over three days, with a concerted effort to enumerate all crocodiles within the park.

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