Bhitarkanika census finds an increase of 15 saltwater crocodiles from last year

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.

ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024

News: According to official estimates, the population of the saltwater or estuarine crocodile has increased in the water bodies of Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park to 1,757

Facts:

About Bhitarkanika National Park

  • ·         It is located in Kendrapara district of Odisha
  • It is inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala.
  • It is the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India, the first being Sundarbans (West Bengal).
  • It has been designated as a Ramsar Site.

Additional Information:

  • Odisha is the only state in India having all three species of crocodile— gharial, mugger and saltwater crocodile.

Species of crocodile

SpeciesIUCN Status
Saltwater CrocodileLeast concern
MuggerVulnerable
GharialCritically Endangered
Print Friendly and PDF
Blog
Academy
Community