Croc attack claims life of K'pada man

Kendrapada: A 52-year-old man from Ratapanga village in Kendrapada district lost his life in a crocodile attack on Wednesday afternoon.

The victim, Sankar Samant, was fishing in the Papuli creek within Bhitarkanika National Park when the incident occurred.

According to eyewitnesses, the crocodile suddenly emerged from the knee-deep water, seized Samant in its jaws, and dragged him into the water. This marks the tenth human death caused by crocodiles in the area over the past 14 months and the 26th in the last 30 months. The forest department launched a search operation and recovered Samant’s body on Wednesday.

Bhitarkanika National Park is home to around 1,811 saltwater crocodiles, according to this year’s reptile census.

The forest department has implemented measures to prevent crocodile attacks, such as erecting barricades around 120 river ghats and conducting awareness campaigns.

They have also advised villagers to take precautions and avoid entering water bodies known to be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles. The department has announced that it will provide compensation of Rs 6 lakh to the victim's family after a thorough inquiry.

However, the increasing number of crocodile attacks has left riverside villagers in constant fear, as the reptiles are often seen in villages across various blocks in Kendrapada and Bhadrak districts far from the park’s water bodies. The crocodiles have also killed several cattle, making it difficult for locals to approach the rivers for their daily needs, said sources.

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