Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district will remain closed for visitors from January 4 to 14 for crocodile census.
A crocodile census will be carried out in Bhitarkanika National Park, creeks, rivers, and streams surrounding the national park.
“Bhitarkanika National Park will remain closed for visitors for 11 days beginning January 4 for the conduct of crocodile census,” informed Rajnagar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav.
Every year lakhs of tourists both domestic and foreign visit Bhitarkanika to watch crocodiles.
The headcount of the reptiles will be carried out both day and night.
As per the census conducted in 2022, the national park houses 1,784 saltwater crocodiles.
