Kendrapara, With the annual headcount exercise of <keyword id="1644160" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="estuarine-crocodiles">estuarine crocodiles</keyword> getting underway, <keyword id="148468" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhitarkanika">Bhitarkanika</keyword> National Park in Odisha would remain out of bounds for nine days of this month for nature lovers who long for savouring the warmth of congenial wetland spots, officials said. The national park is being shut from January 15 to 23 for the annual census of the estuarine crocodiles. As many as 22 teams have been constituted to count the crocodiles in the creeks, nullahs and rivers within the park and its nearby areas. The national park's closure during the period will ensure the smooth and human interference-free census operation. Any form of human activity would come in the way of the meticulous census of these reptiles. That's why the curb on tourists' footfall has been imposed, said the <keyword id="74385" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="divisional-forest-officer">Divisional Forest Officer</keyword>, Bhitarkanika Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Bikash Ranjan Dash. Bhitarkanika is said to house 70 per cent of India's estuarine crocodile or <keyword id="1802014" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="saltwater-crocodiles">saltwater crocodiles</keyword>, conservation of which was started way back in 1975. The number of saltwater crocodiles, the species which are not found in any other river system in Odisha, as per the latest census, in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary is estimated to be 1,757, he said. Adequate conservation measures by the <keyword id="6432810" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="state-forest-department">state forest department</keyword> have led to a systematic rise in the number of these reptiles over the years. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-beml-hcl-tech-infosys-tech-mahindra-tcs-ril-tata-motors-hero-moto-tvs-and-others/articleshow/80089765.cms">Top stocks to watch — BEML, HCL Tech, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, TCS, RIL, Tata Motors Hero Moto, TVS, and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/checkout-upcoming-new-cars-in-year-2021/slidelist/80025993.cms">Upcoming new cars in India in 2021 of Maruti, Tata, MG, Audi</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/questions-arise-about-jack-ma-whereabouts-as-alibaba-faces-scrutiny-from-the-chinese-government/articleshow/80090457.cms">Where is Jack Ma? Questions arise about the billionaire’s whereabouts as Alibaba faces scrutiny from the Chinese government</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/big-money-chasing-bitcoin-takes-the-cryptocurrency-to-a-new-record-high-of-34000/articleshow/80090730.cms">Big money chasing Bitcoin takes the cryptocurrency to a new record high of $34,000</a>

Bhitarkanika National Park to remain shut from January 15-23 as teams take stock of estuarine crocodiles census

Kendrapara (Odisha), Jul 15 () A total of 103 nesting sites of estuarine crocodiles have been spotted this year in Odisha's Bhitarkanika National Park, an official said. As per the latest census of the reptiles, the number of saltwater crocodiles, the species which are not found in any other river system in the state, stood at 1,757 in Bhitarkanika, he said. The national park in Kendrapara district has once again emerged as the largest habitat of the endangered estuarine crocodiles in the country with 103 nesting sites, equal to the last year's record number, spotted in it, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division DFO Bikash Ranjan Dash said. Bhitarkanika, a Ramsar site, is said to house 70 per cent of the country's saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started in 1975, he said on Tuesday. Every year, the national park remains shut from May 31 to July 31 to ensure disturbance-free nesting of crocodiles. "Adequate conservation measures by the state forest department have led to a rise in the number of the crocodiles over the years," the official said. Though the estuarine crocodiles are also found in West Bengal's Sunderbans and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the population density of the animal is more in Bhitarkanika, he said. The wildlife sanctuary continues to remain out of bounds to tourists in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the official added. COR SKN SBN BDC ADMINISTRATOR SBN BDC ADMINISTRATOR

103 crocodile nesting sites found in Odisha's Bhitarkanika: Official

Bhubaneswar, May 8 () Keen to revive the severely-hit tourism sector in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic,the Odisha government is planning to come out with a packagefor promotion of various destinations in the state to woodomestic travellers in the post lockdown scenario, an officialsaid.Chief Secretary A K Tripathy held a meeting with theofficials concerned on Thursday, and directed them to preparean incentive scheme to attract private investment in thehospitality and tourism industry which is considered to be alabour-intensive service sector."Domestic tourism is the core focus in the postlockdown phase as this segment is expected to revive fasterthan the others," Tripathy said.The government has decided to prioritise thedevelopment projects in tourist destinations like Rambha andSatpada clusters in Chilika, Bhitarkanika national park,Chandrabhaga and Talsari beaches, he said.Tripatahy also suggested the department to explorepossibilities of developing "Eco-Retreat 2020" hubs in thelocations like Daringbadi, Debrigarh, Satkosia, Konark andMahanadi Riverbed between Naraj and Dhabaleswar.He also directed the department to make a detailedoperational plan involving various government agencies and keystakeholders."The comprehensive development of Buddhist circuit andShamuka project near Puri were also discussed in the meeting,"tourism department secretary Vishal Dev said.He said the department has made a holistic assessmentof Covid-19 impact on the tourism sector."There were cancellations of bookings due to thelockdown. All the stakeholders will need support from thefinancial institutions," Dev said.He said the government will organise road shows inmetros and tier-II cities across the country to attractdomestic tourists."A special campaign will be taken up to promote thetourism sector with organising Odia food festivals across sixcities," Dev added. AAMBDC BDC

You Searched For "Bhitarkanika" and got 3 results

Bhitarkanika National Park to remain shut from January 15-23 as teams take stock of estuarine crocodiles census

PTI

103 crocodile nesting sites found in Odisha's Bhitarkanika: Official

PTI

Odisha plans revival of tourism post lockdown

PTI