Odisha’s Saltwater Crocodile Population Rises to 1,858: How Conservation Policy, Technology, and Habitat Protection Are Reviving a Once-Endangered Species
India’s wildlife conservation efforts have often been criticised for uneven implementation and limited technological adoption. However, the recent increase in Odisha’s saltwater crocodile population offers a rare and encouraging success story. According to the latest annual estimation conducted by the Odisha Forest and Environment Department, the population of estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles in the State has risen by 32 individuals, reaching a total of 1,858 crocodiles. This milestone has been achieved through sustained conservation measures, improved habitat protection, and the first-time use of drone-based surveys, marking a significant advancement in wildlife monitoring.
This development is important not only for Odisha but also for India’s broader biodiversity conservation framework, as the saltwater crocodile is a keystone species in coastal and estuarine ecosystems.
Background: Saltwater Crocodiles in India
The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest living reptile species in the world. Historically, it was found across India’s eastern coast, including Odisha, West Bengal, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. However, due to:
- Excessive hunting for skin
- Habitat destruction
- Human encroachment
- Pollution of wetlands and estuaries
The species witnessed a drastic population decline during the mid-20th century. By the 1970s, saltwater crocodiles were nearing extinction in several parts of India.
Recognising the severity of the situation, India launched Project Crocodile in 1975, one of the country’s earliest species-specific conservation initiatives. Odisha became a focal point of this project due to its vast mangrove and river delta systems.
Latest Census Findings
The 2026 estimation was conducted between January 8 and January 10, covering key crocodile habitats across Odisha.
Population Breakdown
The census recorded 1,858 crocodiles, classified as:
- 531 hatchlings
- 442 yearlings
- 365 juveniles
- 167 sub-adults
- 353 adults
This age-wise distribution is particularly significant, as it indicates successful breeding and survival rates, ensuring long-term population sustainability.
Kanika Wildlife Range: A Conservation Stronghold
Out of the total count, 1,424 crocodiles were spotted in the Kanika Wildlife Range, which includes parts of the Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem — one of the most important saltwater crocodile habitats in the world.
Role of Drone-Based Survey: A Technological Leap
For the first time, Odisha employed drone technology for crocodile population estimation. This shift represents a major step forward in wildlife monitoring.
Advantages of Drone Surveys
- Minimises human disturbance to wildlife
- Improves accuracy in inaccessible mangrove zones
- Enhances safety for forest staff
- Allows real-time monitoring
- Captures high-resolution imagery
Traditional crocodile surveys relied heavily on manual headcounts conducted by forest personnel using boats, which were time-consuming, risky, and prone to error. Drone surveillance has addressed many of these challenges.
The success of this pilot project could encourage other States to adopt similar technologies for monitoring tigers, elephants, dolphins, and migratory birds.
Why This Increase Matters
1. Indicator of Ecosystem Health
Saltwater crocodiles sit at the top of the aquatic food chain. Their rising numbers indicate:
- Improved water quality
- Healthy fish populations
- Stable mangrove ecosystems
A decline in crocodiles often signals ecological imbalance, making their recovery a positive environmental indicator.
2. Success of Long-Term Conservation Policy
The increase reflects decades of effort involving:
- Strict anti-poaching enforcement
- Protection of nesting sites
- Captive breeding and release programs
- Mangrove regeneration
- Community participation
It demonstrates that sustained policy intervention yields tangible ecological outcomes.
3. Strengthening India’s Biodiversity Commitments
India is a signatory to international environmental agreements such as:
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Revival of a vulnerable species strengthens India’s credentials in global conservation efforts.
Human–Crocodile Conflict: A Persistent Challenge
Despite conservation success, rising crocodile numbers also raise concerns about human–wildlife conflict.
Key Issues
- Crocodiles straying into fishing zones
- Attacks on livestock
- Rare but serious attacks on humans
- Encroachment into nesting habitats
Odisha has addressed this through:
- Awareness campaigns in coastal villages
- Compensation schemes for victims
- Controlled relocation of problematic crocodiles
- Community monitoring programs
Balancing conservation with human safety remains an ongoing policy challenge.
Mangroves: The Silent Protectors
The success of crocodile conservation in Odisha is closely linked to the health of its mangrove forests, especially Bhitarkanika.
Mangroves provide:
- Ideal nesting grounds
- Protection from storms and cyclones
- Nursery habitats for fish
- Natural barriers against climate change impacts
Odisha’s aggressive mangrove restoration efforts after cyclones like Phailin, Fani, and Yaas have indirectly benefited crocodile populations.
Lessons for Wildlife Conservation in India
The Odisha crocodile success story offers several policy lessons:
- Technology enhances conservation efficiency
- Habitat protection is more effective than isolated species protection
- Community involvement reduces conflict
- Long-term funding and political commitment are crucial
- Data-driven monitoring improves outcomes
Such models can be replicated for other endangered species.
Conclusion
The rise of Odisha’s saltwater crocodile population to 1,858 is a rare positive headline in India’s conservation narrative. It reflects the power of sustained policy intervention, scientific monitoring, and ecosystem-based conservation strategies.
As India grapples with climate change, biodiversity loss, and habitat fragmentation, Odisha’s success demonstrates that conservation and development need not be opposing goals — when guided by science, technology, and community engagement.