Bhitarkanika reopens, improvised boats wait tourists

As Bhitarkanika National Park reopened today for tourists after 60-day shutdown, the forest department has procured four improvised boats worth Rs 4 crore for safe and comfortable movement of tourists in park-side waterbodies located in Odisha's Kendrapara district.
The multi-hulled vessels have been procured at Rs 4 crore funding from a Goa-based company through a global tender. Each of these vessels can accommodate 20 tourists.
"Besides comfort, the eco-friendly vessels are equipped with foolproof safety mechanism," Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Kedar Kumar Swain, said.
The national park had been closed for tourists and visitors to ensure disturbance-free annual nesting of crocodiles.

The restriction on entry to the park was imposed on 31 May and it was lifted on July 31, said the official.
"We receive about 50,000 tourists in a year. Our emphasis is on to ensure safe and comfortable sojourn of visitors who throng here in large numbers to savour warmth of eco-system and unique environs of its wetlands. The luxury vessels introduced by the forest department are the latest attractions for tourists," said officials.
On any given day, 350 to 400 tourists make voyage on water bodies by boats. There would be no compromise on the safety aspect and the department will ensure safety of the travellers, he said.

Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its saltwater crocodiles, resident and migrant birds and huge varieties of mangrove species. Besides millions of endangered olive ridley sea turtles turn up at Gahirmatha beach every year for mass-nesting.