Bhitarkanika National Park Closed for Three Months for Crocodile Breeding Season

Bhubaneswar: Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha’s renowned mangrove forest and crocodile habitat, has been closed to tourists from May 1, 2026, for its annual breeding season. The park will remain shut till July 31 to ensure a safe and undisturbed environment for estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles during nesting.

Officials of the Rajnagar Forest Division announced the temporary closure, stating that the reptiles become highly sensitive during this period as they build nests and lay eggs. Any disturbance caused by human presence or noise can adversely affect the breeding cycle, and crocodiles are known to display aggressive behavior during this phase.

Entry of visitors has been completely restricted across all major access points to the park and the adjoining wildlife sanctuary, including Dangmal, Gupti, and Khola. The forest department has also intensified security measures across the protected area to safeguard nesting sites over the next three months.

Bhitarkanika is known for hosting one of India’s largest populations of saltwater crocodiles, with recent estimates placing the number at over 1,800. The annual closure is part of a long-standing conservation practice aimed at protecting the species during its most critical reproductive period.

The park is scheduled to reopen to visitors from August 1, 2026.