Bhubaneswar: To ensure a safe mating season for saltwater crocodiles, Odisha has imposed a three-month ban on entry of tourists and visitors to Bhitarkanika National Park from Wednesday.
According to the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Bhitarkanika Manas Das, the ban will be in force from May 1 to July 31. Das said the annual ban is being enforced to ensure that estuarine crocodiles are not disturbed during their breeding season.
In addition, the noise of mechanised boats transporting tourists and Forest Department officials also disturbs the crocodiles. It has been noted that when the reptiles are disturbed during nesting, they become more violent. As a result, most crocodile attack incidents occur during the breeding season.
The Forest Department has also restricted the movement of humans inside the forest as many locals entering the forest areas illegally to collect honey and wood disturb the crocodiles. Forest guards keep a strict vigil on the movements of crocodiles who lay eggs near the water bodies and remain there until they are hatched.
