Paradip, May 8: The forest department officials have erected bamboo barricades around 50 bathing ghats along the crocodile-infested rivers and creeks on the outskirts of the Bhitarkanika National Park to ensure the safety of villagers.

Around 34 villages have been identified to be crocodile-infested zones and the sarpanchs and other gram panchayat representatives have also been instructed to alert the villagers. The bathing ghats in these villages have been covered with protective bamboo barricades. Villagers have been advised to bathe inside the barricaded areas, said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division officer Bimal Prasana Acharya.

"It has often been seen that crocodiles pounce upon people while they are taking a bath," said Acharya.

During their three-month long breeding season, the estuarine crocodiles become more dangerous. The crocodiles intrude into in-land water bodies in search of mates. People staying along the riverside become easy prey.

Vans fitted with public address system are visiting villages to distribute leaflets and advise residents to keep safe distance from crocodile-infested water-bodies.

The Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary is home to 1,646 adult and juvenile crocodiles. The sanctuary officials have prohibited the entry of tourists and visitors into the national park till July 31.

"We have raised the alert as the breeding season of the reptiles has begun. It's a precautionary measure to curb man-animal conflict," Acharya said.

The department officials feel that the villagers should be more cautious and stay safe by keeping away from crocodile-infested water bodies.

Since the past one month, no incident of crocodile attack has been reported. However, the officials are getting frequent news of crocodiles making their way into village water bodies.

A 10-ft long male crocodile had strayed into a community pond at Ragapatia village.

The animal was rescued and released into the wild last week.