Ganeshan
Port Blair, Aug 20: Recently a body of a missing person was found from the Middle Strait and it was observed that the body was having crocodile byte marks. PRI members of Baratang allege that since then the incident of crocodile sighting has increased manifold around Nilambur (Baratang) Jetty area.
People now fear that the huge Crocodile, which has already got the taste of human blood, might attack others soon in the area.
This is worth mentioning here that hundreds of tourists who visit Baratang Island have to wait over the unstable floating Jetty of Baratang, before getting inside the boat for Lime Stone Caves. Public alleged that the floating Jetty, without any railing, shakes dangerously whenever a boat comes along the jetty. Under these circumstances, one wonders what will happens if any tourist falls in creek waters.
Moreover in past many incidents had happened when people fell from Vehicle Ferry in Middle Strait, in those cases too, crocodiles in Middle Strait, is a major threat for public.
Not only this, fishermen of Baratang, often use the area between Nilambur (Baratang) Jetty and Eco-huts for fish landing and during fish landing they have to work in knee deep waters. People fear that these fishermen are also at high risk in Baratang area.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Forest Officer has also issued a caution notice for boat operators, tourists and fishermen of Baratang area, which is pasted in jetty area and in vehicle ferries for public information.
The caution notice says that “A huge salt-water crocodile has been sighted frequently around Nilambur Jetty since 9th August 2019. The frequent movement of the crocodile in the same location may be noted in order to avoid conflict.” The DFO in his notice advised public not to provoke the animal and to take necessary precautions to avoid any untoward happening.
Meanwhile, talking to Andaman Sheekha the Zilla Parishad Member of Baratang, Mr. M. Alager Swami has demanded immediate shifting of the crocodile from Nilambur Jetty area to Chidiyatapu Biological Park as presence of such huge crocodile might result in man-animal conflict anytime. “Who will be responsible if someone is killed by this crocodile, Administration or Forest Department?” questioned Mr. M. Alager Swami, the Zilla Parishad Member of Baratang.
