Context

Odisha's Kendra Para district, has earned the distinction of being the only district in India where one can find all three species of crocodiles such as Salt-water, gharial, Mugger

Key-facts

• Odisha's Kendra Para district has already claimed fame for its successful conservation programme for salt-water or estuarine crocodiles at the Bhitarkanika National Park.
• The national park, having 1,768 estuarine crocodiles, is home to 70 per cent of India's such crocodiles, the conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
• It is the second largest mangrove forest in India after Sunder bans, hosts the largest population of saltwater crocodiles, including white albino crocodiles.
• It is listed as a Ramsar Site.
• The crocodilian family consists of 27 different species that are subdivided into three families: True crocodiles, alligators and caimans and gharials.
• All three species of crocodilians in the river systems of Odisha: 
  • Gharial (Gavialisgangeticus), listed as a Critically Endangered by IUCN.
  • Mugger crocodile (Crocodyluspalustris), listed as vulnerable by IUCN.
  • Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylusporosus), listed as least concern by IUCN