Aradi: Many people in riparian villages in Aradi area under Chandbali block in Bhadrak have faced crocodile attacks in the past. Some of them have died while a few could be found leading disabled life in Bodak village of Olaga panchayat. Fear of crocodile attacks still grips the people in the village with a population of 1,000.
Strangely, to keep the reptiles away from Baitarani River, the locals have resorted to a superstitious belief. They have tied old boats with poles at river ghats where they can take a bath and cross the river without fear. They believe that crocodiles do not go near the boat. As per tradition, the wife of a man always tries to shy away from the elder brother of her husband. Such tabooed relationship is believed to work between the crocodiles and the boats. However, in reality, the people are not totally safe from possible crocodile attacks.
Some locals asserted that since the day the boats were tied to poles on the river ghat, crocodiles have not attacked any people.
Reports said the forest department has lowered its guard against crocs. That could be seen from the number of warning boards and banners it has put up at the river ghats. It would have been safe for the people if the department had put up strong net barricades at the ghats.
The people of the village have to depend mainly on river water, as no adequate tube wells or safe drinking water projects have been taken up in the village.
Locals said that there is a need for more tube wells in the village so that people would not go to the river for taking bath.
Bholanath Nayak, a local resident, said that a crocodile had attacked his wife though boats were kept anchored in the river ghat. She has lost a leg and is leading a difficult life, he added.
Atulya Mohanty, a forest official, said taking bath in the river is fraught with dangers from crocodiles, but people are still doing that. The villagers should be aware of the crocodile risk instead of banking on anchored boats at the ghats, he added. PNN