Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park reopened on Tuesday for tourists after remaining out of bounds for them for three months.

"The accommodation facilities for the tourists have been improved with eight new and well-furnished suites at the Dangmal forest bungalow inside the park's core area. The jetty at Gupti has also been refurbished for the comfort of tourist while boarding boats. The department has come up with wash room facility at the Dangmal jetty as part of tourists-friendly measures," said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest divisional officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

The national park had been closed from May 1 and till July 31 for visitors to ensure disturbance-free annual nesting of crocodiles. The reptiles often turn violent and attack intruders during this period. So, the objective was to ensure the safety of humans and provide congenial environs to the breeding crocodiles.

"We are ready to play host to domestic and international tourists after the three-month break. We receive about 50,000 tourists a year. Our emphasis is on to ensure safe and comfortable sojourn of visitors, who throng here in large numbers to savour warmth of ecosystem and unique environs of its wetlands. It has been made mandatory for the visitors to submit identity proof to seek entry permit into the park," said an official.

"Boat journey along the mangrove-covered water bodies is a major attraction for tourists. On any given day, around 400 tourists make voyage on the water bodies by boats. There would be no compromise on the safety aspect. The department is intent of ensuring the safety of the travellers. The private boats, which are devoid of life jackets and other safety gadgets for the tourists, are barred from operating. The boats and vessels that are owned by the department are all endowed with the safety equipment," he said.