Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has imposed a seven-day ban on boating and fishing activities in the Mahanadi river system in Cuttack to facilitate the annual census of crocodiles and birds.
According to Forest Department sources, the crocodile census will be conducted from January 5 to 9, followed by the bird census on January 17 and 18. To ensure uninterrupted and accurate data collection during this period, all boating and fishing activities in the river system have been prohibited.
The department has issued a warning of strict action against violators, including the seizure of fishing boats found operating during the banned days.
Forest officials, along with wildlife experts, are fully prepared for the census operations. Several teams have been deployed to ensure smooth and precise counting of the crocodiles and birds in the river system, the officials said.
