Chandbali: Crocodile menace continues to grip over 80 riparian villages dotting the banks of Baitarani, Salandi and Mantei rivers under Chandbali block in Bhadrak district.
In the last 10 years, about 12 persons and over 100 cattle have been victims of the reptiles while Madhupur ghat, the meeting place of Genguti and Salandi, has remained closed for the last nine years.
Besides, many people have become paralysed after being attacked by the reptiles.
“People living in these villages are afraid of going near the Baitarani, Salandi and Mantei rivers. In the rainy season, they even avoid stepping into ponds and other water bodies and till the farmland near rivers, fearing crocodile attack. Fishermen are scared of casting nets in the rivers,” locals said.
For the last nine years, people are not using the Madhupur ghat at the meeting place of Genguti and Salandi. Earlier, people of Gobindapur and Barasar panchayats under Tihidi block and Madhapur and Nandapur under Chandbali block used to take a bath at the ghat and cross the river at this place to go their farmlands.
In 2008, a crocodile had attacked Sudarshan Biswal of Madhupur at the same place, but luckily he managed to escape. Since then, the crocodiles are seen at the ghat area. Locals have closed the way to the ghat with fences and nets in a bid to prevent the reptiles from entering the villages. They have also strengthened the fencing by planting trees.
“Now, villagers cross the river at Dhanakhania ghat in Salandi river,” said Minaketan Biswal, a local resident. He also added that acres of riparian farmland lie uncultivated over the years due to fear of crocodiles.
Locals said though the government has made provisions for compensation in case of casualties, it has taken no steps to prevent the entry of crocodiles in the first place.
Crocodiles stray out of Bhitarkanika national park and crocodile breeding centre into these rivers in search of food. They first enter Baitarani, then Salandi and finally Mantei rivers.
Chandbali wildlife division was made operational in 2005. Since then, the division has been recording data on crocodile casualties. Two persons fell victims to crocodile attacks in 2007-8, one in 2008-9; one in 2009-10; three in 2010-11; two in 2014-15; three in 2015-16.
“As no preventive measures are being taken with regard to crocodile attacks, the ghat areas have turned into death traps,” said Tentulidiha sarpanch Nirmal Tikayat Ray.
The wildlife division has put up warning boards at river ghat areas. People have been warned against venturing into rivers. At some ghats, people have barricaded the area with poles and bamboos.
Environmentalist and former honorary member of Bhadrak wildlife division said villagers have stopped cultivating land on some riverbank areas due to the fear of being attacked by crocodiles. Over 80 riparian villages under the buffer zone of the Bhitarakanika national park are affected by crocodile menace. The affected farmers are not being provided compensation, he claimed. PNN
