Frequent intrusion of crocodiles into places of human habitations has triggered man-animal conflict in a number of villages, official sources said.
On Wednesday, an intruding crocodile killed a 13-year-old boy at Balichandrapur while angry locals had beaten to death a rogue crocodile last week in sanctuary-side Rajasahi village, the sources said.
Since past one week, forest personnel have caught at least two crocodiles alive which had trespassed into village water-bodies, thereby saving them from facing people's fury, the sources said.
Disturbing trends of reptiles' interference in village areas has left the forest personnel in a quandary. Measures to curtail the man-animal conflict are underway.
The forest department is gearing up to tackle the situation in view of the rise in cases of crocodile intrusion into village-side rivers, rivulets, water-bodies and creeks.
"It has turned out to be a challenge for us both to ensure safety of men, domesticated animals besides, protecting the endangered estuarine crocodiles. Steps have been taken in this regard", said Manoj Kumar Mahapatra, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division.
In recent past, salt-water crocodiles on the prowl often trespassed into water-bodies in and near sanctuary-side human settlements triggering panic among villagers.
Since past one year, nine adult and sub-adult salt-water crocodiles have met tragic end after trespassing into places of human habitation. Similarly rampaging crocodiles have claimed eight human lives besides that of over 100 cattle. MORE
