Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has closed to tourists until July 31, as the annual mating and nesting season of saltwater crocodiles gets underway. The closure, which came into effect on May 1, is a conservation measure aimed at protecting one of India’s most remarkable wildlife recovery stories during its most vulnerable period.
Forest officials note that mechanised boats and human activity can unsettle crocodiles during this phase, making them more aggressive and increasing the likelihood of attacks. Female crocodiles lay their eggs deep within the mangrove forests and guard them closely until hatching, making any disturbance a direct threat to breeding success.
The park’s saltwater crocodile population has grown from fewer than 100 individuals in 1974 to around 1,858 recorded earlier this year, a turnaround that stands as one of India’s most cited conservation achievements. As the largest living reptiles on Earth, many individuals here reach exceptional sizes, giving the region global significance for the species.
Odisha also holds the distinction of being the only state in India to host all three crocodilian species: the saltwater crocodile, the mugger, and the gharial, adding further ecological weight to Bhitarkanika’s conservation role.
The park is scheduled to reopen on August 1. Visitors who time their trip to coincide with the reopening can expect heightened wildlife activity, with hatchlings emerging and the ecosystem at its most dynamic.
