Rajnagar: In good news for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the world-famous Bhitarkanika National Park reopened to tourists on Saturday after remaining closed for three months due to the annual crocodile breeding season.

The park had been shut from May 1 to July 31 every year to ensure the safe breeding and nesting of estuarine crocodiles. During this period, the entry of domestic and international tourists is prohibited to minimise disturbance to wildlife.

With the breeding season now over, the Odisha Forest Department has completed all necessary preparations for reopening the park. Tourists from across India and abroad can once again explore the rich biodiversity of Bhitarkanika, one of the country's most renowned mangrove ecosystems.

The Forest Department has made it mandatory for all visitors to carry valid identity proof for entry. Tourists can access the national park through three designated entry points—Gupti, Khola, and Dangamal.

Visitors can enjoy boat safaris through the park's intricate waterways and witness the famous saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat, along with spotted deer, wild boar, sambar, monitor lizards, and a wide variety of resident and migratory birds.

Apart from its diverse wildlife, Bhitarkanika offers several attractions, including the country's first mangrove nursery, a boat library, a skywalk, a crocodile breeding and research centre, and a wildlife museum, all developed by the Forest Department to enhance the visitor experience.

Tourists can explore the park aboard private motorboats as well as five fibre boats operated by the Forest Department, offering a closer view of the park's scenic beauty and unique mangrove ecosystem.

Located in the delta formed by the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Mahanadi rivers, Bhitarkanika National Park remains one of Odisha's premier eco-tourism destinations and continues to attract wildlife photographers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts from around the world.