Bhitarkanika National Park to reopen on August 1 after three-month closure

Bhubaneswar, July 23: Bhitarkanika National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Kendrapara district, Odisha, will reopen to visitors on August 1 after a three-month closure.

The sanctuary had been closed to allow for the uninterrupted breeding and nesting of estuarine crocodiles, which required a period of minimal human disturbance. During this time, the park's authorities focused on ensuring the safety of both the crocodiles and the visitors.

As part of the reopening, a new Canopy bridge is being introduced. This Skywalk, constructed entirely of wood, will stretch 600 meters and rise 15 feet above the ground. A designated selfie spot will be featured along the bridge for visitors to enjoy.

The sanctuary also completed its annual crocodile nest count, identifying 114 nests this year, down from 122 last year. The park had previously been closed for nine days in January 2024 to conduct the annual census of estuarine crocodiles and migratory birds. During that period, 1,811 crocodiles were counted in the sanctuary’s delta region, a slight increase from last year's count of 1,793.