Paradip, July 6: Human intrusion into the nesting sites of estuarine crocodiles in and around the Bhitarkanika National Park has left the park authorities worried as the breeding season is on now.

Forest officials have warned that steps, according to the Wildlife Protection Act, would be taken against trespassers.

Earlier, the forest personnel used to be lenient towards the violators, but they have decided to be strict from now on. "We have decided to book the offenders, as man-crocodile conflict is on the rise," said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) divisional forest officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

Crocodiles, who are now guarding their nests after laying eggs, are disturbed by human interference. This might turn them violent against intruders to safeguard their nests, said a forest official.

Despite alert, people living on the park fringes are often found venturing into the reptile territory for fuel wood and fishing. Thus, they expose themselves to fatal attacks.

In the recent past, two cases of human casualties due to crocodile attacks were reported and over a dozen of persons have been injured.