Kendrapara, April 30: Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary authorities have clamped a three-month-long prohibition on entry of tourists and visitors to the wetland sites of the forest with estuarine crocodiles' breeding season round the corner.

The order is being enforced from May 1. The national park will reopen on August 1, said an official.

"Prohibition is being imposed in view of the breeding season of salt-water crocodiles. Human interference will disturb the breeding animals. The reptiles often turn violent and attack intruders during this period. So, the objective is to ensure the safety of humans while also providing congenial environs to the breeding crocodiles, said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

According to the latest headcount of these animals, 1,671 estuarine crocodiles were counted living in the Bhitarkanika's water bodies.

Keeping in view the commencement of the breeding season, the forest department is prioritising safety of the local people. People could ensure their own safety by keeping away from the crocodile-infested water bodies, said another sanctuary official.

Crocodiles are found straying from their habitats into the water bodies in and around the human settlements. Man-crocodile conflict often reaches a flashpoint at the peripheral villages of the wildlife sanctuary.