Kendrapara: The entry of tourists and visitors into Bhitarkanika National park will be prohibited for three months from May 1 to July 31, in view the nesting season of estuarine crocodiles.
The Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division will impose a ban on the entry of tourists as their movement inside the park will disturb the nesting and breeding of the reptiles, ranger of Kanika forest range Akhaya Kumar Nayak said.
During this ban period, tourists will be restricted in the crocodile infested areas at Bhitarkanika, Dangamala and Ragadapati forest blocks under Bhitarkanika, he said.
The reptiles become very violent during the nesting and breeding season and a majority of the crocodiles attack during the nesting season.
The female reptiles lay eggs inside the mangrove forest near water bodies of the park and guard the eggs till the emergence of hatchlings, officials said.
Forest officials have also asked the riverside villagers to inform them if they notice any crocodile outside the park area.
The park is home to at least 1,671 salt water (estuarine) crocodiles, including three reptiles measuring more than 20ft. Among them are 597 hatchlings, 342 yearlings, 269 juveniles (3-6 ft), 164 sub-adults (6-8 ft) and 299 adults (8-18 ft). PNN
