Orissa Fishermen To Tame Rogue Crocodiles

Times of India, Thursday, 8/7/08

KENDRAPARA: The Orissa forest department has hired fishermen to relocate
estuarine crocodiles entering into human habitations in and around the coastal Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.

With crocodiles straying from their habitats into ponds in and around human settlements, the conflict between man and reptile has reached a flashpoint in peripheral villages of Bhitarkanika sanctuary, official sources said.

Crocodiles attacking humans and cattle have become a regular feature and complaints are pouring in almost on a daily basis, creating a problem for forest authorities, said an official of Rajnagar Forest (Mangrove and Wildlife) division.

Fourteen experienced fishermen have been recruited on an annual contract to chase the straying crocodiles to their original habitat in the Bhitarkanika river system, he said.

They have chased back six crocodiles using indigenous methods and six more were trapped and later released in the wild.

Straying crocodiles had let loose a reign of terror in Dangamal, Talachua, Krushnanagar, Righagada, Ragadapatia and Bhekta villages. With the reptiles driven away, locals have heaved a sigh of relief, the official said