Bhitarkanika Park reopens after croc, bird census

OST Bureau
Kendrapara, Jan 11:

The Bhitarkanika National Park, which was closed for the annual census of the estuarine crocodiles and migratory birds for 15 days, has re-opened for the visitors.

The authorities had banned the entry of the visitors on December 24 to prevent noise pollution and crowding during the census, said DFO Kedar Kumar Swain of Rajnagar Mangrove and Wildlife Division.

The two-day census of the migratory birds had begun on December 29 in which 15 teams, each consisting of forest personnel, ornithologists, bird experts and researchers carried out the bird counting under the guidance of the DFO.

The census was carried out through traditional method of direct sighting for counting of birds while the wildlife researchers and ornithologists used spotting scope, binocular and cameras for the count.

The estuarine crocodile census was carried out by 25 enumerators in creeks, water inlets and nullahs on January 3.