Rajnagar, July 29 (UDN): After remaining off-limits to visitors for three months to facilitate the breeding of endangered saltwater crocodiles, Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapada district will reopen for tourists from August 1, the Forest Department announced on Wednesday.
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Confirming the development, Rajnagar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bhardraj Gaonkar said tourists will once again be allowed to enter the national park and avail of overnight accommodation from Friday.
"From August 1, tourists will be permitted to enter Bhitarkanika and avail night-stay facilities inside the park," the DFO said.
The park remains closed every year from May 1 to July 31, coinciding with the breeding and nesting season of the rare saltwater crocodiles. During this period, female crocodiles become extremely territorial after laying eggs, prompting the Forest Department to suspend tourism activities to ensure the safety of both visitors and wildlife.
Officials said gravid female crocodiles search for elevated ground away from tidal creeks to construct mound-shaped nests using dry leaves and vegetation. Each female lays around 40 to 60 eggs, covers the nest with leaves and twigs, and fiercely guards it for nearly 75 days until the hatchlings emerge. The reptiles often remain close to the nest, making human movement in the area potentially hazardous.
Apart from restricting tourist entry, the annual closure also allows forest officials to carry out scientific monitoring of crocodile nesting. Beginning in the first week of June, teams conduct an extensive nest census across the mangrove ecosystem, documenting nest locations through GPS mapping and photographic records.
The 2026 crocodile nesting census has recorded 117 active nests across Bhitarkanika, indicating another successful breeding season. The Kanika Range reported the highest number with 106 nests, followed by 10 nests in Rajnagar Range and one nest in Mahakalapada Range.
Forest officials said the healthy nesting figures reflect a stable breeding population of the endangered saltwater crocodile, reinforcing Bhitarkanika's status as one of India's most important habitats for the species.
Known for its sprawling mangrove forests, winding tidal creeks, rich biodiversity and one of the country's largest populations of estuarine crocodiles, Bhitarkanika National Park is among Odisha's premier eco-tourism destinations, attracting thousands of domestic and international visitors every year.
With the breeding season now over, the Forest Department has declared the sanctuary safe for tourism and appealed to visitors to follow eco-tourism guidelines and cooperate with park authorities to help preserve the fragile ecosystem.
