Kendrapara: Forest authorities of Bhitarkanika were excited over the large number of visitors last month after the national park had reopened for tourists.

"After remaining out of bounds for tourists for three months in view of estuarine crocodiles' nesting season, the Bhitarkanika National Park reopened on August 1 for those, who long for savouring the warmth of congenial wetland spots. We are quite delighted to find impressive inflow of tourists last month despite unpleasant weather," said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) divisional forest officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

"The weather was inclement with frequent formation of the low pressure. Still 1,943 tourists had made their way to the park in August, which is considered as an off-season. The four-month period spanning from October to January is considered as the peak season for visiting Bhitarakanika. We are expecting steady inflow of tourists during these months because of improved tourist infrastructure," he said.

The annual inflow of tourists into three protected areas - the Bhitarkanika National Park, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary - is around one lakh.

The accommodation facilities for tourists have been improved with eight new and well-furnished suites at Dangmal forest bungalow inside the core area of the national park.

The booking for accommodation has been made online. The jetty at Gupti has been refurbished for comfort of tourists to board on boats. The department has come up with wash room facility at Dangmal jetty as part of tourist-friendly measures.

"Our emphasis is on to ensure safe and comfortable sojourn of visitors, who throng here in large numbers. It has been made mandatory for the visitors to submit identity proof to get entry permit into the national park," said an official.