Skilled fishermen on job in and around the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Nov. 16: Skilled fishermen are back on the job to chase away crocodiles from water bodies at the villages in and around the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.

The state forest department has deployed service groups of fishermen, who are especially trained to chase away the intruding reptiles to their habitation corridors of Bhitarkanika’s water bodies.

“Last year, we experimented by deploying the skilled groups on contractual pay-roll. This was was proved to be successful in bringing down the intensity of man-crocodile conflict. These groups are redeployed,” said divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove forest division, Manoj Kumar Mohapatra.

“Crocodiles mostly stray from their habitats into water bodies in and around the human settlements during breeding season. This triggers man-crocodile conflict. To curb it, the forest department has pressed into service the skilled fishermen to chase the animals to their habitats,” he said. “Crocodiles attacking humans and eating up the cattle have become a regular feature. Complaints are pouring in almost everyday. This has been a headache for forest department,” said the official.

This year, the crocodiles have killed two persons while maiming two others. Three crocodiles were killed in retaliatory attack by humans.

To drive away the crocodiles from the water bodies, four groups of experienced local fishermen have been recruited on annual contract.

In the past one month, no case of man-human conflict has been reported. Adhering to the localised yet indigenous technique, the fishermen have chased back more than hundred crocodiles. Some of the straying crocodiles were trapped by this special squad and later released in the wild, said officials.