Angul: The Forest Department on Monday started a three-day exercise to count crocodiles in Mahanadi and other water bodies of Satkosia in Odisha’s Angul district. The crocodile count will continue from January 6 to 8.
Tourists and fishermen have been prohibited from visiting Satkosia during this period, Forest Department said. Boating in the Mahanadi will be closed from today till the morning of January 9.
Fourteen teams of the Forest Department have been engaged in the crocodile counting exercise.
While 5 employees will be deployed in each sector, a total of 70 employees will be deployed for the counting exercise, Saroj Panda, Satkosia Wildlife Division Officer, informed.
Every year, a crocodile census is conducted in the winter season as crocodiles come out of the water and sleep on the river banks during the cold season. Forest Department staff will count crocodiles in the Mahanadi river with the help of binoculars and cameras in small boats or specially-made canoes.
