Odisha: After three-month closure, Bhitarkanika National Park to reopen on Aug 1
Published By : Sourav Das
| July 31, 2025 10:48 AM
Kendrapara, July 31: After a three-month closure owing to the breeding season of saltwater crocodiles, Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district is set to reopen to tourists starting August 1.
It is worth noting that the national park was closed to visitors from May 1 to July 31 to ensure a peaceful environment for the nesting and hatching of crocodile eggs.
During this period, female crocodiles lay their eggs near the water bodies in the mangrove forest and carefully guard them until the hatchlings emerge.
The presence of tourists and noise from motorized boats can disturb these reptiles, making them highly aggressive while protecting their nests. Therefore, the annual closure is essential for ensuring the safety of both visitors and the crocodiles.
This year, wildlife personnel recorded 116 saltwater crocodile nesting sites in the Bhitarkanika wetlands, marking a slight increase from the 114 sites documented last year.
Forest officials confirmed the reopening of tourism in the national park and stated that all safety protocols are being implemented.
To improve the visitor experience, the department has built a 600-meter-long skywalk, or wooden canopy bridge, 15 meters above the ground inside Bhitarkanika. This Rs 40 lakh project provides a close-up view of the forest and its wildlife. For safety, only 20 visitors will be allowed on the skywalk at a time.
