Port Blair, Jan 25: During the recent visit of Union Home Minister of India, Mr. Amit Shah the Pradhan of Wandoor Panchayat, Mr. Adhir Das reportedly got opportunity to meet him and handover a letter concerning the Crocodile menace in Wandoor area.
Mr. Das told Andaman Sheekha that residents of Wandoor in South Andaman are facing an alarming threat from salt water crocodiles that have been spotted in sweet water ponds, causing damage to domestic animals and putting the safety of the inhabitants at risk.
He added that despite the matter being reported to the wildlife division, the problem persists, with many residents avoiding the use of their ponds for daily needs. The impact of this has been felt in the tourism and fishing sectors, which are major sources of livelihood for the 90% of the population of the area that relies on them.
In a letter addressed to the Home Minister, the Pradhan of Wandoor Gram Panchayat has highlighted the difficulties faced by the inhabitants and requested urgent action to be taken to protect them. According to the letter, saltwater crocodiles are abundant in the area and are considered a Schedule 1 animal, but the government’s efforts to protect and nurture them are having a detrimental effect on the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The Pradhan has requested that the crocodiles be removed from Category 1 and that the government take immediate action to address the issue and save the people of the island from this threat. With the safety of the inhabitants and the survival of the fishing and tourism sectors at stake, it is imperative that action is taken to address this issue as soon as possible.
