Port Blair, Jan 18: The Department of Environment & Forests, Andaman & Nicobar Islands has decided to conduct a census operation to estimate the population of salt water crocodile in the coastal waters of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Population estimation studies will give an idea about the density, the areas in which they inhabit, size classes viz. yearlings, juvenile, sub-adult, adult and also their sex ratio including breeding females. In this connection, a preliminary survey of all the vulnerable areas of the territory was made during 2014-15. Based on the preliminary survey, the following creeks/nallahs have been identified for carrying out the census.
South Andaman – Tushnabad nallah, Manpur nallah, Collinpur, Tirur, Jirkatang, Wright Myo, Shoalbay nallah, Chouldari, Sippighat, Beodnabad nallah, North Bay, Lohabarrack Sanctuary, all areas in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Guptapara, manjeeri, Wandoor, Carbyns’ cove, Munda Pahad, Kanyapuram creek, Mathura, Sippighat and all other creeks/inlet submerged water area in south Andaman.
Baratang – Middle Strait nallah/ creek upto open sea, Creek which leads to Parakeet (Parrot) island, Boney Island, Belle island, Oral Katcha, Evergreen island, old Middle Strait camp, Khadi basti, Wrafter’s creek, Baludera, Gandhighat jetty.
Middle Andaman – Humphry Strait, Creeks on the way to Long Island, Yerrata Creek, Guitar Island, Long Island, Lalajibay (creek side), Shyamkund nallah, Betapur nallah, Kadamtala, Cuthbert Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Mayabunder – Mayabunder creek near Helipad, Mohanpur nallah, Borang nallah, Bajota nallah, Webi creek, Austin Creek, Tugapur nallah, Chainpur creek, Parangara creek, Aves Island, Sound Island, Stewart Island, Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary.
Diglipur – Radhanagar Creek, Paschim Sagar/Talbagan nallah/Creek, Kishorinagar nallah/creek upto Casurina bay, Jaganathdera, Magar nallah creek, Shanti nagar, Gandhi Nagar creek, Ganesh Nagar creek, Madhyamgram/ Kalighat nallah.
Havelock – Light House point, Govinda Nagar/Krishnagar nallah, Vijay nagar, Kalapathar, Char nariyal creek, Elaphant beach, Radhanagar/ Neilcove area, Neil Island, all islands/creeks in Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, Peel Island, Wilson & Nicholson Island.
Little Andaman – All nallahs and creeks in east and west coast passing through the habitation area of Little Andaman including Jackson Creek, Bomila creek, Dugong Creek and Egubeloy creek.
Nicobar Division – Magar nallah, Swaroop Nallah, Prembahadur nallah, Galathea River, Dagmar River, Alexandria river, Jubilee, Rajkumari and Amit Kaur river areas.
Besides, departmental staff/workers, students from colleges, general public, wildlife enthusiasts, volunteers, NGOs, representative from various govt departments including Defence, Coast Guard will be involved in the census. Institutions like-WII, SACON, ZSI, BSI, BNHS, ANET, NCBS, NCF & SANE will also be involved in the operation.
The census operation will be tentatively conducted on Jan 30-31, 2016 during which both day and night count will be done. General public, wildlife enthusiasts, college students, NGOs/organizations who are willing/interested to participate in the exercise voluntarily, may contact the nearest Divisional Forest Officer/Range officer before Jan 25 register their names.
