Kendrapara, May 1: Starting today, the Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district will remain closed for tourists until July 31 for the mating and nesting season of saltwater crocodiles.

The Forest Department has taken this step to protect the natural nesting and hatching processes of these crocodiles.

During this period, crocodiles lay eggs in riverbanks and marshlands, building nests to safeguard them. The authorities aim to minimise human disturbance to ensure successful reproduction.

Once a mother crocodile lays eggs, she stays near the nest, guarding it aggressively until the hatchlings emerge. This makes them highly territorial and dangerous, prompting the Rajnagar Forest Division to issue restrictions on visitor entry to prevent potential conflicts between crocodiles and tourists.

While forest guards have been instructed to monitor mother crocodiles, local villagers have been prohibited from entering the forest during this period, as activities like honey collection and wood gathering can provoke the protective mother crocodiles.

Bhitarkanika is home to one of the largest saltwater crocodile populations in India, and this annual closure plays a key role in conservation efforts.

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