Bhitarkanika National Park reopens for tourists

Bhubaneswar: The Bhitarkanika National Park, which had remained closed for seven days for the annual census of estuarine crocodiles, reopened for tourists on Sunday.

The national park in Kendrapara district was closed for tourists from December 26 for the census of estuarine crocodiles – locally known as ‘Baula’ crocodiles, said Rajnagar divisional forest officer (DFO) Bikash Ranjan Dash.

Dash informed that the migratory bird census will be carried out on January 5 and 6 in the park.

Notably, the tourists are barred from entering Bhitarkanika National Park during the census of estuarine crocodiles.