By Our Correspondent
KENDRAPARA/RAJNAGAR: Kanika Range has topped with 90 nests of saltwater crocodiles among the 103 found inside the mangrove forest of Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s coastal districts of Kendrapara facing Bay of Bengal.
Rajnagar DFO, Bikash Ranjan Das said among the 103 nests, 90 found in Kanika range, 9 in Rajnagar range and 1 each in Gahirmatha & Mahakalpada ranges. Each nests houses around 50-60 and some 45-50 eggs.
The crocodiles also cover their eggs with leaves to prevent ingress of rainwater into the nests during monsoon,” said the DFO. In 1975, the Ministry of Forest and Environment in collaboration with UNDP had started a crocodile breeding and rearing project in Dangamala within the park.
Entry of tourists into the park has been restricted from May 1 to July 31 as it is the mating and breeding season of crocodiles. “The female reptiles guard the eggs from predators like jackals, wild dogs, fishing cats, vultures, water monitors, wild boars and other animals.
