Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha has reported 116 nesting sites of endangered estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles in 2025, marking a slight increase from last year’s count of 114, according to forest officials.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Manas Das stated that the continued presence of nesting sites confirms Bhitarkanika’s status as a critical habitat for these reptiles. Female estuarine crocodiles typically lay 50–60 eggs, with hatchlings emerging after an incubation period of 70–80 days.
The estuarine crocodile population in Bhitarkanika has seen a remarkable increase from just 96 individuals in 1975 to 1,826 in 2025, following intensive conservation efforts launched five decades ago. The park now supports nearly 70% of India’s saltwater crocodile population.
To ensure safe nesting, the park is closed annually from May 31 to July 31, allowing the reptiles to breed undisturbed.
Officials also highlighted that Odisha is the only state in India where all three crocodile species—saltwater crocodile, gharial, and mugger—are found across its river systems.
