Kendrapara: The state forest department has issued advisories, asking the residents of riverside villages not to venture into crocodile-infested water bodies.

"We have sounded precautionary warning in view of recent spurt in croc attacks. Since past one week, one person was killed and another injured in such attacks. Besides, villagers have alerted the department of straying of reptiles in over a dozen of localities," said dangmal forest range officer Subrat Patra.

The department has initiated measures to sensitise people to curb man-animal conflict. Awareness meetings are being held at various villages, which are exposed to man-croc conflict. Elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions have been advised to persuade the people to stay away from such water bodies, creeks and rivulets. Public announcement system vans would shortly move through vulnerable villages to distribute leaflets and advisories to the residents, asking them to keep safe distance from the croc-infested water bodies, said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) divisional forest officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

"The department is prioritising safety of local people. Local residents need to remain watchful and vigilant," he said.