Kendrapara, Jan 7: The Bhitarkanika National Park will be closed to visitors from January 8 to 10 as authorities conduct a comprehensive crocodile census. During this period, tourists will not be allowed inside the sanctuary to ensure the counting proceeds smoothly.

The census will cover 51 locations across the sanctuary’s rivers, streams, and connected water bodies. The exercise will be carried out under the supervision of crocodile expert Dr. Sudhakar Kar and Rajnagar DFO Bhardwaj Gayakwad.

Ahead of the census, on January 7, training sessions for the teams will be conducted in various forest ranges. The census results will then be compiled and submitted to senior officials by January 11-12.

Visitors planning to visit the sanctuary during the census period are advised to reschedule their trips.