Pranab Halder
Port Blair, Jan 3: Albeit the Lt. Governor issuing routine directions to the Forest Department to adopt safety measures and precautions to prevent crocodile attacks in important tourist destinations, the ruptured nets installed at Chidiyatapu is proof of the inertia of the Forest Department towards ensuring safety of tourists and locals at sea.
The nets after its installation in the shallow waters at Chidiyatapu, famous for its beach and sunset view, came as a huge respite as it instilled a sense of safety for visitors.
But for lack of proper maintenance, the nets currently loll in poor state totally ineffective to prevent fatal crocodile invasions.
“After a series of crocodile sighting near the shores of Chidiyatapu, the Forest Department installed the Nets to prevent fatal encounters. The move was welcomed by visitors as it was effective in prevent crocodile attacks. After fearing from venturing into the sea at Chidiyatapu, tourists and locals started swimming at the sea after the nets were installed. But after a few months, the nets started splitting at several points and the Forest Department then took no steps to rectify the snaps on the net,” say some visitors speaking to Andaman Sheekha.
Currently, almost the entire netting has been completely damaged. During high tides, it appears that the net is in proper shape. But low tides reveal the actual condition of the net.
It is in complete tatters. Forget crocodiles, even elephants can easily pass through the massive gaps. The frames too have been damaged in several parts of the fitting. Fears of crocodile attacks have returned to haunt visitors due to the poor condition of the nets. The Forest Department should take immediate steps to repair the net fitting at Chidiyatapu to prevent any fatal human-crocodile attack at the prominent tourist destination
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