Panic descended on the village of Velsao in Goa after a rather large crocodile was seen roaming freely in the fields of the village. It left villagers, especially farmers worried for their safety especially those who were intending to enter the fields at the commencement of the sowing season. The issue reached a positive conclusion after the croc was trapped by officials and staff of the forest department and taken to be released at another location.
Crocodile sightings in Goa are not unusual. The Indian Mugger -- Crocodylus Palustris -- also known as the marsh crocodile, is most commonly seen in Goa alongside estuaries, marshlands, mangrove lands and others found across the State around water bodies. Over the years with the fields remaining neglected and abandoned leading to a proliferation of mangroves, the crocodiles have increasingly made their presence felt as they have reclaimed a habitat that was once completely theirs.
The crocodiles, while impressive in size, are not necessarily dangerous to humans and mostly confine themselves to hunting for fish and other small animals that visit the river banks for a drink like dogs, etc. Crocodiles have been living alongside human habitation for centuries and despite the mutual distrust and instances of crocodiles attacking humans, especially children wandering around water bodies, reports of attacks are few and far between.
Globally, the Indian Mugger is the third most dangerous crocodile after the Saltwater Crocodile and the Nile Crocodile but that is only because they live in areas with a high density of population where instances of human-wildlife conflict are rampant. Considering the habitat, the overall numbers are low in comparison.
Indeed instances of attacks on crocodiles have not been reported so far despite anecdotal evidence suggesting that there is an increase in their population. Crocodiles have been seen on crossing roads at night, lounging in the sun in the fields as well as along river banks hiding among the bushes and the mangrove branches.
While it is completely understandable for villagers to be afraid and unsure of how safe they are with a crocodile lurking in the grey waters of the fields, at the same time they panic and feel threatened by the mere presence of a crocodile who is largely keeping to himself is a bit over the top.
Against the panic raised over sighting crocodiles and even snakes that inevitably stray into human habitation, the forest department should train people to deal with predators. The presence of apex predators in an ecosystem serves the vital purpose of maintaining the overall health of the ecosystem in check. The presence of crocodiles for example will ensure that waters are not overpopulated with a single species of fish and will also keep the population over vermin species like wild boar -- that are the scourge of farmers in check. Crocodiles are known to attack boars when they venture towards the water bodies for a much-needed drink. A similar role is played by leopards for whom the wild boar is a constant source of food. Snakes are known to keep rat populations in check.
In an increasingly populated world, such conflicts are bound to happen. We as a society need to understand that panicking will take us only so far, learning to adjust to the wildlife is the real way forward.
