PORT BLAIR: Around a month after a crocodile killed a 21-year-old youth at Wandoor Beach in South Andaman, another massive crocodile was sighted at the popular Corbyn’s Cove Beach of the Islands on Saturday. The sighting has triggered panic in the area and has left the Andaman Tourism Industry deeply worried as the local administration has banned all water sports in the area.
As per reports, after the crocodile was sighted, a team of Forest Department officials reached the spot, but by then the reptile had left the beach and disappeared in sea water.
Forest Department sources revealed that the team has placed a cage to trap the crocodile. There are two crocodiles in the Corbyn’s Cove area. As the mating season has begun, there are possibilities of them frequenting the area.
Last month, a crocodile had killed a 21-year-old youth, identified as Bishnu Hari Mandal. He had gone swimming along with his friends at Wandoor Beach in South Andaman. As per eye witnesses, the crocodile safety net installed at the beach for the safety of tourists and locals, has several holes in it thus helping the crocodiles to sneak in.
“It is sad that because of the administration’s careless attitude, crocodiles are frequenting tourist beaches. It’s like putting people’s lives at risk,” said Subir Chander, former Up-Adhyaksh of South Andaman Zilla Parishad.
“The administration has only one solution for every problem — that is, closure. In this case, instead of closing all beaches, it must take a cue from foreign countries on how to restrict crocodiles’ entry in tourist beaches by putting in place a proper net framework,” said M Vinod, President of Andaman Association of Tour Operators.