Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, June 04: Repeated sighting of multiple crocodiles at Junglighat Jetty and sea shore area have left people and residents of the area in panic while authorities claim that all necessary precautions are being taken.
Junglighat jetty is one of the busiest areas of Port Blair city as everyday lot of vessels, tourist boats, and a large number fisherman dinghies operates from it.
Junglighat Jetty area is also thickly populated by people from fishermen community and children go for swimming in the sea on regular basis.
Sighting of crocodile in that area have now left people in trouble as workers in small dinghies fear to step down from jetty for loading materials and children do not go for swimming anymore.
“We have seen more than two crocodile in this area and since last three months they are continuously seen here. I believe they have made this location their permanent home. We have intimated this matter to forest department but till now no action has been taken from their side,” said Ajay Halder, a resident of Junglighat.
Meanwhile, when contacted the Deputy Conservator of Forest (wild life) Mr. Naveen Kumar P told Andaman Sheekha that the Forest Department is well aware of the fact and keeping an eye on the situation. He said that Forest Department has already alerted the Fisheries Department to ask all fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea and remain alert.
Forest Department believes that Crocodiles are getting attracted toward Junglighat Jetty because fishermen have the habit of throwing fish waste into the sea, which is easy food for crocodiles.
Meanwhile Forest Department has urged public not to throw chicken or fish waste in sea, which attracts crocodiles near thickly populated areas and ultimately results in human-crocodile conflict.
