Kendrapara, April 16 -- Bhitarkanika National Park and the adjoining Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary will remain closed to tourists and local visitors from May 1 to July 31 to facilitate the breeding and nesting of estuarine crocodiles.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), Rajnagar, Vardaraj Gaonkar, said on Thursday that the annual restriction is imposed to ensure minimal disturbance to crocodiles during their critical breeding period.
During the ban, entry into key crocodile habitats such as Bhitarkanika, Dangamala, and Ragadapati forest blocks will be strictly prohibited. The presence of tourists in these areas can disrupt the reptiles during nesting, when they are particularly sensitive to extern...