Migration of crocodiles from Cumbharjua canal needs to be studied, say environmentalists
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PANAJI: Marsh crocodiles have existed since hoary times in the historic Cumbharjua canal, but environmentalists feel a study is needed to find out why they have spread to other places in the state.
It is believed that the muggers were brought by the Portuguese and their presence in the marshy areas of Banastarim halted enemies marching towards the former capital of Old Goa in their tracks.
The crocodiles have amazingly adapted themselves to the brackish water conditions. The marshy areas on either side of the 15km long canal, which was deepened by the Portuguese to link Goa's two main rivers, has proved to be a paradise for the breeding of buggers.
"They are not seen in such a density in any other place in Goa," a forest department official conceded.
But frantic sand extraction activity and increased barge movement in the canal has disturbed their long-standing habitat. "A study needs to be conducted to assess the various factors leading to their migration to upstream areas of River Mandovi and its tributaries," the official added.
Animal lovers also feel that disturbance caused by sand extraction and barge movement may be the major factor rather than lack of food for their migration.
"Sand extractors who find baby crocodiles in their scoops may be killing them or giving them to others to be kept as pets," Arnold Noronha, a naturalist said.
In 2011, villagers of Marcaim had opposed the setting up of a marine industrial park on the banks of River Zuari, alleging that it would affect fish stock and other marine life, especially crocodiles.
It is believed that the muggers were brought by the Portuguese and their presence in the marshy areas of Banastarim halted enemies marching towards the former capital of Old Goa in their tracks.
The crocodiles have amazingly adapted themselves to the brackish water conditions. The marshy areas on either side of the 15km long canal, which was deepened by the Portuguese to link Goa's two main rivers, has proved to be a paradise for the breeding of buggers.
"They are not seen in such a density in any other place in Goa," a forest department official conceded.
But frantic sand extraction activity and increased barge movement in the canal has disturbed their long-standing habitat. "A study needs to be conducted to assess the various factors leading to their migration to upstream areas of River Mandovi and its tributaries," the official added.
Animal lovers also feel that disturbance caused by sand extraction and barge movement may be the major factor rather than lack of food for their migration.
"Sand extractors who find baby crocodiles in their scoops may be killing them or giving them to others to be kept as pets," Arnold Noronha, a naturalist said.
In 2011, villagers of Marcaim had opposed the setting up of a marine industrial park on the banks of River Zuari, alleging that it would affect fish stock and other marine life, especially crocodiles.
Panjim’s latest inhabitants : CROCODILES!
These species of Marsh Crocodiles are found all over Goa.
BY AMEY BORKAR
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
PANJIM: Believe it or not, crocodiles have now made their way to the capital city of Panjim. Shocking as it may sound, around seven crocodiles have been sighted by the locals of Camara-Bhat, Tonca in the marshy waters of the St Inez creek.
Locals say that these crocodiles measure up to 1.5 meters in length and have made the horribly polluted St Inez creek, their latest home. Startlingly, they also claim that a crocodile attacked and killed a calf tied near the waters.
“These creatures are olive brown in colour and have a yellowish white underbelly. They surface up when there is no much human activity, like in the wee hours or late nights. We have spotted them several times”, says a local from the area.
Some of them have also recorded a mobile video (the footage that is in GT’s possession) of the creatures crawling up from the waters and then rushing back down.
The locals say that they aren't really aware of what made this reptiles come here. “We have no knowledge of how this crocodiles must have come here, probably they must have come from the other part of the St Inez creek in the city disturbed by the large amount of human activity there, ” says one of them.
The creek that flows through the city of Panjim meets a dead end at the migrant dominated area of Camarbhat in Tonca, Miramar, and has turned into a large water body, which, from past several years, is constantly being polluted with everything ranging from plastic to human excreta. With such extensive pollution, these creatures are faced with a threat to their lives.
With the general perception as a deadly and a dangerous animal, the lack of knowledge about these creatures may also impell naive locals to take fatal action against them.
The forest department officials, when contacted, claim of having no knowledge about the arrival of these crocs. “We have received no such information on crocodile sightings in Panjim,” informs Amar Heblekar, range forest officer (wildlife), Campal. He has, however assured that the wildlife rescue squad will look into the issue at its earliest.
It may be noted that the Cumbharjua-Banastarim canal, part of Mhadei River in north Goa, has been the habitat of crocodiles in Goa. Earlier, crocodiles have been sighted in Bicholim in the past 2-3 years while the locals at Tonca claim of sighting crocodiles in the year 2003.
The dead-end of the St Inez creek at Tonca where the crocodiles have been spotted. Pic by Atish Naik
BY AMEY BORKAR
reporters@gomantaktimes.com
PANJIM: Believe it or not, crocodiles have now made their way to the capital city of Panjim. Shocking as it may sound, around seven crocodiles have been sighted by the locals of Camara-Bhat, Tonca in the marshy waters of the St Inez creek.
Locals say that these crocodiles measure up to 1.5 meters in length and have made the horribly polluted St Inez creek, their latest home. Startlingly, they also claim that a crocodile attacked and killed a calf tied near the waters.
“These creatures are olive brown in colour and have a yellowish white underbelly. They surface up when there is no much human activity, like in the wee hours or late nights. We have spotted them several times”, says a local from the area.
Some of them have also recorded a mobile video (the footage that is in GT’s possession) of the creatures crawling up from the waters and then rushing back down.
The locals say that they aren't really aware of what made this reptiles come here. “We have no knowledge of how this crocodiles must have come here, probably they must have come from the other part of the St Inez creek in the city disturbed by the large amount of human activity there, ” says one of them.
The creek that flows through the city of Panjim meets a dead end at the migrant dominated area of Camarbhat in Tonca, Miramar, and has turned into a large water body, which, from past several years, is constantly being polluted with everything ranging from plastic to human excreta. With such extensive pollution, these creatures are faced with a threat to their lives.
With the general perception as a deadly and a dangerous animal, the lack of knowledge about these creatures may also impell naive locals to take fatal action against them.
The forest department officials, when contacted, claim of having no knowledge about the arrival of these crocs. “We have received no such information on crocodile sightings in Panjim,” informs Amar Heblekar, range forest officer (wildlife), Campal. He has, however assured that the wildlife rescue squad will look into the issue at its earliest.
It may be noted that the Cumbharjua-Banastarim canal, part of Mhadei River in north Goa, has been the habitat of crocodiles in Goa. Earlier, crocodiles have been sighted in Bicholim in the past 2-3 years while the locals at Tonca claim of sighting crocodiles in the year 2003.
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