E Arun & Tarun Kartick
Port Blair, Aug 13: Dr. Sashi Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dept. of Environment of Forests today said that the Advisory boards regarding the threat of crocodiles in various tourist places have been placed to make the tourists aware of the potential threats and not to put negative impact on tourism in the Islands.
Dr. Sashi Kumar briefed a press conference at Van Sadan today regarding the Human Crocodile Conflicts in the Islands and made the scribes aware of various aspects regarding the increasing number of visage of the human with crocodiles.
Dr. Sashi Kumar informed the scribes that in the recent past the awareness among the general public about the measures to avoid conflicts are increasing and the department is further trying to spread more awareness so that the conflicts between human and crocodiles are minimized.
He further informed that the Geographical location of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is unique and our Coast Line is 1960 Km which is 1/4th of the total coast line of India. He also added that the Salt water Crocodiles are present almost everywhere in the Islands and their habitat consists of creeks, mangroves etc. Dr. Sashi informed the scribes that hunting of Salt Water Crocodiles is a punishable offence in India.
He apprised the media personnel about the recent crocodile attacks in Billygound in which a fisherman lost his life and his body was also not found but the suspected crocodile was caught and he is now kept in the Biological Park at Chidiyatapu.
Dr. Sashi informed the scribes that earlier loss of Life due to the crocodile attack resulted in a compensation of Rs. 100000 but now it has been fixed at Rs. 300000.
“We are going into their area and they are not getting into our area,” Dr. Kumar added saying that Human should learn to adjust with nature. Going with the statistics he informed that there in an average of one death per year due to the crocodile attacks, but numerous attacks take place every now and then.
“ We have to be alert everytime.” He further informed that the Lt. Governor had suggested regular patrolling in tourism related areas so that emergency call in case of alerts can be attended minimizing the time gap.
He further informed the media about the various aspects and measures for avoiding crocodile attack; a lot of emphasis was given on disposing of meat and fish products and he addressed the scribes about the various unfavorable means of disposing meats and other animal products which creates threat to human and other animals.
Dr. Sashi also informed that people should avoid going to breeding areas of crocodiles and the grazers were also warned to be more careful while grazing their animals in the areas of potential threat.
He also informed the media that the Police and Forest personnel’s are present to give every possible assistance if some unfortunate episode takes place and the above two departments and the tourism department will deploy boats to ensure safety of the tourist and the swimmers. He added that the department will create awareness with dramas and other interactive mediums for the general public soon.
When Andaman Sheekha asked the PCCF whether any awareness campaigns are been conducted in schools for the students regarding crocodile attacks and related aspects, the PCCF informed that they will soon distribute pamphlets in schools for awareness among the students.
