With rise in water level in rivers, croc alert sounded in Odisha’s riverside villages

With the rivers owing their linkage to croc-infested water-bodies of the Bhitarkanika system in spate, the state forest department has sounded an alert of possible acts of reptile violence in the low-lying areas of river-side villages of Odisha’s Kendrapara district.

The rise in water level has brought in its wake a crocodile menace, with reptiles reportedly on the prowl in the low-lying areas on the upper stream of the Brahmani River.

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The possible acts of violence by estuarine crocodiles in villages under Rajnagar, Pattamundai, and Aul Tehsil loom large. The residents are required to remain extra cautious while venturing into water bodies, said forest officials.

With the water level on the Brahmani River, there are reports of waterlogging in villages lying in close proximity to the river bed. Possible straying of crocs to waterlogged villages may not be ruled out. The Bhitarkanika river system, which is home to 1,826 estuarine crocodiles, owes its connectivity to the Brahmani and Kharasrota river system. Thus there is every possibility that swelling rivers would lead the reptiles to venture into newer areas.

“Departmental alert has been sounded in villages that have come under partial flooding of Brahmani river water”, said Assistant Conservator of Forest, Manas Kumar Das.

“With the river in spate, there are reports of crocodiles straying into water bodies in and around the places of human habitation. Thus croc attack may not be ruled out. We have warned the residents not to venture into flooded rivers and adjoining water bodies”, the official added.

Meanwhile panic has gripped some of the riverside villages under Rajnagar tehsil following reports of sighting of straying of saltwater crocodiles from the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary’s water-bodies to the connected river system.

A couple of crocodiles have so far been sighted though these reptiles have caused no harm either to humans or the animals. As the residents are exposed to possible attack, the local Sarpanchs and GP representatives have been instructed to alert the villagers, said an official.

The juvenile crocs used to stray in search of food and leave the place for their original habitat. But within a few days as per their natural instinct, they return back to their original habitat, said crocodile experts.