Villagers oppose crocodile sanctuary at Loha Barrack, authorities refuse to budge RAZIA BEGUM PORT BLAIR, NOV 20/-/ The crocodile sanctuary declared at Loha Barrack ,Chouldari in a sea area of 22 sq. kms stretching from wandoor to Khurma Dera in 1983 is in the eye of a storm with the villagers, especially the fishers opposing the Forest Department’s decision to promote crocodile tourism in Wandoor area. Panchayat Pradhans of Tusnabad and Chouldari, Mohan Halder and Subhash Dey respectively leading the protest accuse the authorities of not taking the stake holders into confidence before arriving at a final decision. “The Forest Department authorities have gone ahead without seeking suggestions and objections from the villagers about the setting up of a crocodile sanctuary to attract tourists. They have not weighed the pros and cons. Without fencing the area, the crocodiles will be free to move anywhere. They have glossed over the fact that the croc attacks are on the rise. The deadly crocs can be seen moving into paddy fields and attacking cattle at Tusnabad. Ironically, the forest officials in their wisdom have advised the villagers not to venture into their paddy fields if a nallah crosses through the fields,” the Pradhans said. The fishermen in these two panchayats whose survival depends on fishing are adversely affected. Overlooking their traditional occupation, the administration has decided to encourage them to go for other income generating activities such as basket making, garment making, sewing, printing, fabric painting, leaf plate making, rope making, poultry, piggery, inland fishing and improving alternate programmes like Apiculture, Horticulture, Mushroom cultivation etc. which is not at all satisfactory for them. There have been many instances of croc attacks on humans. Even the Jarawas are reported to have complained of their people being killed by crocodiles while trying to cross nallahs. These dangerous crocs are now seen all over including Wandoor jetty, Corbyn’s Cove etc. Some crocodiles have now taken shelter in check dams at Tirur, Sona Pahad , Ferrargunj and one crocodile was caught while entering in M.E.S. Dam at Chouldari in 2012. A crocodile was seen roaming in nallah opposite to Nayasahar drinking water project recently. They are also seen at Chouldari, Sippighat, Dhanikhari, Marina Park, Radha Nagar beach, Tusnabad to Tirur area, Namunaghar, Saithankhari, Stewartgunj, Baratang, Shoalbay, Wrightmayo, Chidiyatapu and elsewhere at Urmilapur, Bakultala andKaushalya Nagar. “BEWARE OF CROCODILES” witnessed at all the tourist spots indicate the increasing dangersd of croc attacks. Something drastic needs to be done to prevent the deadly attacks,” demanded the Pradhans who led a dharna in front of Mini Zoo here on 19th Nov to oppose the setting up of crocodile sanctuary at Loha Barrack. “ Sanctuaries should be confined to a restricted and barricaded area where the crocodiles should be driven to from paddy fields, nallahs and revenue villages,” Tusnabad Pradhan said. According to PCCF (Wild Life), Mr. G. N. Sinha, “Crocodile is not a harmful animal. It’s an essential part of the biodiversity. Allowing fisherman for fishing at the sanctuary area is a violation of law. Fisherman can move to other areas for fishing which is not in a sanctuary. Already many people have started moving to other places for fishing. It is not a big issue; for conservation and development there should be balance on both the side. It is a repository of both terrestrial as well as marine flora and fauna. The pristine tropical evergreen forests, luxuriant mangroves, sandy beaches which are frequently visited by marine turtles and creeks harboring salt water crocodiles make it a unique marine sanctuary.” “People of North Wandoor panchayat and Chouldari have already opted for other income generating activities. Forest department is focussing on eco tourism and people will be asked to come and learn more about this and get benefitted,” he added. In the year 2011, Department of Environment & Forests mentioned in a notification that they have taken up a massive programme of wildlife conservation and management in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and established a number of wildlife Protected Areas i.e. Sanctuaries and National Parks. To reduce the negative impact of local people on bio-diversity as well as negative impacts of Protected Area on livelihood of local people and to increase opportunities for local participation in protected Area management, the former Lt. Governor had constituted the Eco- Development Committee (EDC) for the purpose of protection and development of wildlife protected areas (Sanctuaries and National Parks)
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 06:28:33 +0000
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