Bhubaneswar: In a move to facilitate the crocodile census, the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha will remain closed for tourists from January 6 to 8.
The census, scheduled to take place on January 6, 7, and 8, will be conducted by 14 teams comprising 70 personnel from the Forest Department.
Additionally, boating services in the Mahanadi River will be suspended on January 17 and 18 to enable bird counting.
The Forest Department has made arrangements for the census, including the provision of country boats, to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted process.
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is spread over 795.52 square kilometres across four districts: Angul, Budh, Cuttack and Nayagarh. The water bodies of Satkosia are home to muggers.
It is pertinent to mention that mugger crocodiles are covered under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Since 1982, the species has been marked ‘vulnerable’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
