The Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district reopened for tourists on Sunday after a closure of 10 days.
The park had been closed from December 26 to January 4 for the annual census of crocodiles.
Visitors are required to submit identity proof for entering the sanctuary. Boat journey along the mangrove-lined water bodies is a major attraction for tourists. On any given day, about 400 tourists make voyage on the water bodies by boats.
The private boats which are devoid of life jackets and other safety gadgets for tourists are barred from operating. The vessels owned by the Forest Department have safety equipments.
Meanwhile, as many as 1,757 estuarine crocodiles, including four measuring more than 20 feet, were sighted in and outside the water bodies of the Rajnagar Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife) during a headcount drive this year.
The population of the endangered reptiles increased this year than last time, said DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove Forest (Wildlife) Division Bikash Ranjan Dash.
According to the census report, 15 more crocodiles were sighted this year than last year. In 2019 census, 1,742 crocodiles were sighted whereas this time the number of crocodile population is 1,757,said DFO Dash .
“Out of 1,757 salt water crocodiles, the number of hatchlings was 620, whereas yearlings was 325, juveniles( measuring between 3 -6 feet) 288, sub-adults( measuring between 6-8 feet)185 and 339 crocodiles were adults. Among the adults, only four crocodiles were more than 20 feet long.
The enumerators spotted 1385 Salt water crocodiles within Dangamala scheme pond and also at Kanika wildlife range whereas 260 were spotted in Rajnagar, 75 at Mahakalapada and 37 crocodiles at Gahirmatha, informed the DFO.
The headcount drive was organised between December 26 and January 4.