January 14th 2025.
In Kendrapara, a small district in India, an important annual event is about to take place. It's the crocodile and migratory birds' headcount exercise, where teams will be keeping track of the number of these creatures in and around the Bhitarkanika National Park. To ensure the accuracy of the count, the park will be closed for nine days starting from Tuesday.
According to an official, several teams have been assigned to count the crocodiles and birds in different areas such as creeks, rivers, wetlands, and mangrove forests. It's crucial to have minimal human activity during this time to avoid any disruption, which is why the park will remain closed until January 22nd.
This closure not only helps with the counting process but also prevents noise pollution. Manas Das, the Assistant Conservator of Forests, mentioned that the restrictions also aim to maintain a peaceful environment for the crocodiles.
Bhitarkanika National Park is known for its population of estuarine crocodiles or saltwater crocodiles, which is believed to be 70% of India's total. The conservation of these crocodiles started in this park back in 1975. As per the latest census, the number of saltwater crocodiles in the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary stands at 1,811. This species is not found in any other river system in Odisha, making it a valuable and unique part of the park's ecosystem.
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