Kendrapara, Aug 1: Bhitarkanika National Park, one of Odisha’s most vibrant wildlife sanctuaries, reopened its gates to tourists today after a three-month closure during the saltwater crocodile nesting and mating season.
The park, which was closed from May 1 to July 31, protects a diverse ecosystem and is renowned for being a major breeding ground for estuarine crocodiles. According to the January 2025 census, the park is home to 1,826 crocodiles, with 117 nests recorded during the recent breeding season, officials confirmed.
Apart from crocodiles, Bhitarkanika is a thriving habitat for spotted deer, fishing cats, wild boars, and a variety of migratory and resident birds, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers.
To enhance the experience for visitors, the Forest Department has renovated a 600-metre-long wooden canopy bridge, situated 15 metres above the ground amidst the mangroves. This elevated walkway provides a panoramic view of the park’s unique flora and fauna and allows tourists to observe wildlife from a safe vantage point.
“We have also upgraded the watch tower, hunting tower, and the pond of the famed albino crocodile ‘Gori’,” said Manas Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests. “To accommodate visitors, rest houses have been set up at Dangamala and Gupti, and bookings can be made online via www.ecotourodisha.com,” he added.
As part of its eco-tourism efforts, the department has strictly enforced a ban on plastic bottles and polythene within the park, implementing a green protocol to maintain the ecological balance of the protected area.
Tourists and nature lovers are expected to return in large numbers, drawn by Bhitarkanika's rich biodiversity, serene waterways, and conservation success stories.
