Paradip, Sept. 24: The state forest department has issued advisories warning residents of riverside villages to not venture into the crocodile-infested water-bodies to check increasing cases of man-crocodile conflict.

"We have issued warnings to check the spurt in man-animal conflicts. Yesterday, Saraswati Pradhan, 27, was wounded by a crocodile in a creek in Ramnagar. This apart, at least five persons have been injured in various parts of Kendrapara district over the past three weeks," said Mahakalpada forest range officer Bijoy Kumar Parida.

The forest department is also organising awareness camps at riverside villages that are known man-crocodile conflict zones. Panchayat members have been asked to convince people to stay away from crocodile- infested water-bodies.

"Leaflets and advisories will also be distributed to the residents via public announcement system vans," said divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

Acharya said 38 villages had been identified as crocodile-infested zones and local sarpanchs and gram panchayat representatives have been asked to alert the villagers, he said.

Estuarine crocodiles stray into water-bodies, creeks and water-inlets close to human habitations resulting in crocodile-man conflict in areas near Bhitarkanika National Park.

The department aims to ensure the safety of the people. But, forest personnel feel that people disregard warnings.

More than 24 riverside spots have been identified as danger zones. The bathing ghats have been barricaded. Service groups have been pressed into service to drive away crocodiles near human habitation. The forest department has also announced incentives for any information on crocodile intrusions.