Port Blair, Sept 06: A meeting on prevention of crocodile in entering human habitation and steps to avoid further loss of life was conducted in the committee hall of Van Sadan, Haddo, Port Blair where the Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, PCCF ANI, PRI members of Chouldari, Mithakadi, Namunaghar, Tushnabad, Collinpur and Ferrargunj and the senior officers of the Department of Environment and Forests were present.
The MP highlighted issue on recent crocodile attack at Ranchi Basti, Tushnabad and demanded for immediate and permanent solution. The PCCF Shri M.S. Negi, IFS appraised about department’s effort and mechanism in handling Human Animal Conflict management like sanitization of creeks at Manpur, construction of grill gate which are put in place to ensure the safety of public in this Islands.
PCCF informed that the department has already initiated the process of paying compensation to the victim family in accordance with A& N administration notification No 52 dated 18th March 2013 where the provisions of maximum payment of Rs. 3 lakhs is made and also assured that a member in the family will be engaged as a DRM in the department for seasonal works.
To tackle the immediate situation the department has already directed for constitution of 4 joint patrolling teams. However as per the request of PRI’s 6 Joint patrolling teams were accepted for Thusnabad, Collinpur, Mithakadi, Chouldari, Namunaghar and Ferrargunj panchayats.
It was also desired by the MP and other PRI members that necessary amendment should be made for increasing the compensation amount for cattle loss as well as injury to the cattle due to wild animals.
After through deliberation with PRI members following course of action was agreed upon for man animal conflict management so as to avoid loss of life and property and also the loss of wildlife.
1. A man animal conflict management scheme proposed by the department shall be prepared expediously. The scheme includes,
a) Identification of critical creeks having crocodile population
b) Blocking the entry of crocodiles in upstream areas of the creek and nallahs by wy of developing appropriate structures and barriers at the mouth of the creek and identified places and upstream areas.
c) Monitoring the movement of crocodile and sanitization of the creek and nallaha every year during breeding period between June to November through Joint patrolling team of Forest, Police and PRI personnel appointed as DRM as suggested by Panchayat.
d) In addition to Joint Patrolling team, Crocodile rescue teams will be positioned at Tushnabad, Wimberlygunj and Port Blair with crocodile traps, Harpoons etc to provide quick response to capture problem crocodile.
2) Power point presentation on crocodile management in human animal conflict mitigation measures will be made before PRIs. Also sensitization awareness programme will be organized.
3) Second phase of crocodile census will be conducted in the second week of October with active involvement of PRI.
4) Suggestions of the PRI members for amendment in notification will be considered in the light of relevant legal provisions.
This is high time for A & N Administration to curb the crocodile menace. Compensation of Rs. 3 Lacs as well as the proposed preventive measures mentioned in the article seem to be not enough.