Bhitarkanika Reopens for Visitors after 3 Months Closure

Bhubaneswar: The Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district reopened for tourists on Tuesday.

Every year this national park remains closed for visitors from May 1 to July 31 for the mating and nesting season of saltwater crocodiles.

According to DFO Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav around 122 saltwater crocodiles nested during the current nesting season in Bhitarkanika National Park.

To enhance the tourism prospects of Bhitarkanika, the forest department has recently trained around 30 local youths to serve as guides for tourists.

Tourists can make their bookings for a visit to Bhitarkanika through the website www.ecotourodisha.com.

The forest department has constructed rest houses in Dangamala, Habalikothi, and Gupti to attract tourists to Bhitarkanika.

A strict ban on the use of plastic has been imposed in the protected areas of the national park.