The Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division has imposed a three-month ban from May 1 to July 31 on tourists and visitors to the Bhitarkanika National Park in view of the estuarine crocodile nesting.
Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division DFO Kedar Kumar Swain said that during the ban period, tourists would be restricted from visiting the Bhitarkanika , Dangamala and Ragadapati forest blocks under Bhitarkanika, known as crocodile infested areas.
According to Swain, a prohibition order is being imposed on the tourists every year during the nesting and breeding time, lest the tourists and visitors should not disturb the tranquil environment of the crocodile habitat. Once the reptiles are being disturbed during the nesting and breeding period, they grow more violent and a majority of the crocodiles attack, he said.
The female reptiles lay eggs inside the mangrove forest near the water bodies of the park areas and guard the eggs till the emergence of the hatchlings from the eggs. Generally, a crocodile comes to lay eggs by forming a nest at a place it is acquainted with.
The forest officials have also asked the riverside villagers to inform the forest personnel if they catch sight of crocodiles outside the park area. Even, the forest officials are going to create awareness through public address system among the locals living along crocodile-infested rivers to remain alert.
At least 1,644 salt water (estuarine) crocodiles are housed within the Bhitarkanika National Park, out of which 504 are hatchlings,387 yearlings, whereas the number of juvenile crocodiles ( between 3 -6 feet) is 307. About 142 are sub-adult crocodiles and 304 are adult crocodiles.