Forest dept sounds warning in view of frequent croc attacks

In view of the recurring crocodile-man conflict in Odisha, the forest department has issued advisories asking the residents of riverside villages in Kendrapara district to not venture into water-bodies infested with the reptile.
"We have sounded precautionary warning in view of the recurring outbreak of man-animal conflict. Yesterday, a 27-year-old woman Saraswati Pradhan was grievously wounded in an attack by a crocodile in a creek in Ramnagar village.
"At least five persons have been injured in various parts of the district in the past three weeks in croc attack," Mahakalpada Forest Range Officer Bijoy Kumar Parida said.
The forest department has also initiated steps to sensitise people to curb man-animal conflict.

Awareness meetings are being held in riverside villages exposed to man-crocodile conflict.
Elected representatives of panchayati raj bodies have been advised to persuade people to stay away from water bodies, creeks and rivulets.

Public announcement system vans would shortly visit vulnerable villages to distribute leaflets and advisories asking people to keep safe distance from croc-infested water bodies, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya said.
(REOPENS CES1)
Estuarine crocodiles stray into water-bodies, creeks and water-inlets close to the human habitation areas. This leads to the outbreak of crocodile-man conflict in several areas in close periphery of Bhitarkanika national park.

Forest personnel, however, are of the view that people are exposing themselves to attack by venturing into croc infested water bodies. Locals are mostly found disregarding the precautionary warning, said a forest official.
"The forest department has initiated a series of measures to save human and domesticated animals' lives from preying crocs.
Over two dozen riverside spots were identified as danger zones because of frequent sighting of reptiles in these places. Warning has been issued to people to avoid these troubled water zones.
Bathing ghats found vulnerable due to croc intrusion have been barricaded. Service groups have also been pressed into service to drive away crocs from places of human habitation.

The forest department has announced fiscal incentive for information provided on croc intrusion", the DFO said.