Maharashtra's 36 Ranger Trainees Visit Odisha's Bhitarkanika Park
A two-day training tour for forest ranger trainees from Maharashtra focused on conservation efforts in Bhitarkanika National Park.
36 trainees from Maharashtra's Forest Academy visited Bhitarkanika for training.
The visit included learning about mangrove conservation and wildlife management.
Crocodile population in the park has surged from 97 in 1974 to 1,858 in 2025.
A group of 36 forest ranger trainees from the Forest Academy of Administration, Development and Management in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, embarked on a training tour to Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha over the weekend. This visit aimed to enhance their understanding of various conservation practices and wildlife management strategies.
During their two-day stay, the trainees engaged in comprehensive learning about mangrove ecosystems, wildlife management techniques, and specific conservation programs such as crocodile breeding and Olive Ridley turtle protection. Divisional Forest Officer Varadaraj Gaonkar, along with other officials, provided insights into the ongoing conservation initiatives at Bhitarkanika and the nearby Gahirmatha area.
Gaonkar highlighted the establishment of a 10-member Quick Response Team (QRT) tasked with mitigating human-crocodile conflicts. This team, based at the Dangamal forest office, is equipped with specialized tools including crocodile-proof nets and boats to safely capture crocodiles that venture into populated areas. Additionally, the department has implemented safety measures by barricading approximately 120 river ghats to prevent villagers from entering hazardous waters.
The success of crocodile conservation in Bhitarkanika was underscored by Gaonkar, who noted a significant rise in the saltwater crocodile population, from just 97 individuals in 1974 to an impressive 1,858 as per the latest census conducted in January 2025. This remarkable increase reflects the effectiveness of the conservation strategies employed in the region.
One trainee expressed that the experience gained during this visit would be invaluable in their future roles as forest officers, emphasizing the importance of hands-on learning in the field of wildlife conservation.
