Marginal increase in croc population in Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park, a Ramsar wetland site in Kendrapara district, has reported a marginal increase in crocodile population as per the findings of the latest census of reptiles.

Though the increase in population is marginal, the rise in the number of reptiles is indicative of the fact that the national park has turned out to be a safe, congenial habitat for saltwater crocodiles, said Assistant Conservator of Forest, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Manas Das.

While 1,826 salt-water crocodiles were counted this year along the water bodies of Bhitarkanika river system and Mahanadi deltaic region, the census figure recorded last year stood at 1,811, said the officer.

The growth in crocodile numbers has been mainly reported in hatchlings, yearlings and juvenile crocodiles. However, the adult and sub-adult crocodiles of 6 to 8 feet have reported a slight drop compared to last year, he said.

While 346 adults above 8 feet were counted this time, 348 adult species were sighted in 2024. Similarly, 164 sub-adult (6 to 8 feet) crocodiles were found during this year’s annual census as against 167 counted in 2024, the official said.

The annual crocodile estimation exercise was conducted by 22 teams in 51 segments in Bhitarkanika National Park and Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Sanctuary and Mahanadi Deltaic areas. This year, favourable weather conditions resulted in better sightings of crocodiles in the rivers and creeks, he said.

The Forest department said estuarine crocodiles are also found in West Bengal’s Sundarbans, having the country’s largest mangrove cover. Besides the mangrove wetlands in Andaman Islands are home to these species, but those cannot match the density and population of crocodiles in wild habitats of Bhitarkanika.

Census was conducted both during day and night hours. Due to favourable climatic conditions such as clear and sunny weather, low day and night temperature in water and favourable tide conditions, counting of crocodiles was hassle-free. The region is crisscrossed by innumerable water inlets, creeks and nullahs all forming the part of Bhitarkanika river system.

Incidentally, Odisha is the only State in the country having all three species — gharial, mugger and saltwater crocodile in the wild. The State government had launched a conservation programme for these crocodile species in 1975. While the conservation initiative had yielded positive results as far as saltwater and mugger is concerned, it had ‘failed’ in the Gharial conservation programme.