Crocodile habitat in Orissa

Christie FERNANDO, Chilaw special correpondent

"The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary which I visited spans an area of 672 square kilometres of mangrove forest and wetland in Orissa is a spectacular habitat for giant crocodiles.

"It was a long trip from Chennai by train. It took about 12 hours to reach Orissa, and then again a long distance to Bhitarkanika by van.

"It was a wonderful sight going by boat in the meandering Brahmani river to admire the crocodiles, basking on the shallow water and sand.

"I could see the complex and dynamic eco - system and a wide range of luscious mangroves which are salt-tolerant. Migratory birds of different hues enhance the beauty of this crocodile wild sanctuary.

"It provides home to over 215 species of birds including winter migrants from Central Asia and Europe.

Besides, over 170 varieties of resident and indigenous birds, reinforce the charm and glamour of this sanctuary and prominent among the birds are king fisher, sea eagles, kites, sand piper, darters, whistling teals and sea gulls.

The endangered crocodiles are preserved in that area and their habitat is declared as a sanctuary by the government.

But sporadic deaths occur when villagers accidentally tramp on them unawares. But no one kills the crocodiles. It is taboo. "I always wondered why a large area of this sanctuary is confined to only crocodiles and barred from occupation by the villagers. It

is primarily because, these large reptiles should also have a habitat to sojourn like the elephants in the Uda Walawe wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka.

"The crocodiles I saw when traversing by boat were more than six metres long.

The beauty, resplendence, grandeur and magnificence of this world and mother nature, with all its grandeur - and the reptiles, birds, trees, sky, the moon and sun, should never be tarnished or devastated by man.

You cut all the trees and there won't be water. Nature is governed by super-nature.

"So, it is foolhardy to annihilate the crocodiles or decimate the elephants, and then, alienate the land to residents - but preserve it for posterity. Nature comprises all that is found in it and not only man.

'It is my view that people who dwell by the natural environment inhabited by crocodiles and elephants should be given alternate lands. You trespass their habitat and you will be attacked.

And that is common sense! "I read with interest the article by Ivan Corea, and this is apropos of the compelling facts he elucidated."