Port Blair, Sept 10: The Lt. Governor had a detailed review on the human crocodile conflict issues and its mitigation recently with the officials of Department of Environment and Forests and emphasized that the security and safety of beaches is top priority. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, PCCF & Principal Secretary (E&F), PCCF (Wildlife), Secretary (Tourism) and CF(Wildlife). Dr. B.C. Choudhury, member IUCN Species Specialist Group, an expert on crocodiles and issues related to human crocodile conflict was also present in the review meeting.
To deal with the Human Crocodile Conflict issues, the meeting decided to conduct a population assessment study during November/December 2015 to estimate the population density/encounter rates. After detailed discussion, the meeting decided that the Department of Environment and Forest will take up necessary measures to drive away crocodiles in all tourist beaches. Dedicated team shall be in place in each beach with needed traps and harpoons to deal with the problem animals in cases of eventuality, adequate number of metal traps, cages and floating cages shall be made available in all major beaches, rescue boats with OBM engines will be deployed in all beaches of tourist importance and ensure that the boats are run regularly in the vicinity of beaches to drive away the crocodiles if any and have a deterrent impact, advisories in the form of sign boards will be placed in all beaches and no go areas in view of safety will be indicated, tourists/visitors in beaches will be sensitized about safety precautions to be followed, awareness programmes for villagers, students and visitors by involving PRIs will be conducted and creeks and nallahs which are vulnerable will be identified and executive staff in such areas for monitoring the movement of crocodiles will be deployed.
Besides, a population analysis of crocodiles in the nallahs will be carried out and creeks close to human habitation and people dependent only such creeks for day to day movement, feasibility to prevent the entry of crocodiles by installing barriers in such areas will be explored, directives will be issued to hotels, restaurants and resorts to avoid dumping of animal & poultry wastes in and around their premises and creeks/nallahs and penalty will be imposed on those violating the instructions/orders and fishermen will be advised to stop dumping of fish remains/wastes in and around the jetty and close to beaches, an official release says.
