After sighting leopards on the roads in Goa, it appears to be the turn of crocodiles to make their presence felt. A massive crocodile was reportedly spotted near a pond at St Cruz on Thursday -- the second such sighting of the reptile at the spot, which was rescued by forest department officials.
This has raised safety concerns among locals and commuters. It must be said that respecting the territorial rights of crocodiles will help reduce the chances of conflict between the interests of humans and reptiles. Human encroachment on wetlands, which are the crocodile's natural habitat, is not only shrinking these areas but also increasing the chances of human-crocodile contact.
Wetlands are where human and fauna interests clash the most. The important wetlands of Goa include Carambolim Lake, Chorao Island, Selaulim Reservoir, Anjuna Reservoir, and Mayem Lake, among others. There are always threats to the reptiles due to the construction of houses and urbanization. World Wetlands Day, which is celebrated annually on February 2, aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. Conflict is most likely to result when there is an abundance of fish, and the crocodile is considered a nuisance. Although muggers (Crocodylus palustris) or marsh crocodiles are known to exist peacefully in water bodies used by humans and cattle, it is better to minimize such contact and prevent conflicts of interest.
