BHUBANESWAR: The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapada district, which was closed for three months since May 1, reopened for tourists on Monday. The park was closed in view of the breeding of estuarine crocodiles. During the breeding period every year, visit to the Bhitarkanika, Dangamala and Ragadapati forest blocks inside the park premises are prohibited. “Three battery operated vehicles have been introduced this year for physically challenged visitors. Quality lodging facilities have been arranged at Dangamala and Habalikhati,” said Bimal Prasanna Acharya, local divisional forest officer (DFO).

The saltwater crocodiles tend to be very aggressive during breeding season and attack people without provocation. Hence, considering the safety of the tourists, the Forest department had closed the park till July 31, the DFO informed. Bhitarkanika National Park is home to as many as 1,671 estuarine crocodiles. Every year, the forest officials collect eggs from the nesting sites for incubation under semi-natural conditions. For the conservation of the endangered species, the hatchlings are reared for a period of three years and then released into the wild.