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Crocodiles turn ‘honorary forest guards’

Kendrapara: In a repeat of last year’s exercise, forest personnel have let loose a large group of captive-bred crocodiles into water bodies of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary to ward off human interference into its fast-depleting mangrove forest.

Crocodiles are seemingly performing the role of ‘honorary forest guards’ in the core area of the wildlife sanctuary as fear of marauding crocs checked human intrusion in many areas of the sanctuary, forest officials said.

Now the crocodiles’ habitat is being expanded to prevent wanton tree-felling, the officials said, adding that as many as 57 reptiles were released last week into the water bodies in Kharinasi, Batighar, Ramnagar and Jamboo areas of the sanctuary to stop frequent movement of villagers into the forest area. These forest pockets, located at the southern-most part of the 672-square-kilometre sanctuary, are visibly marked by the thinning green cover.– PTI

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