We received a distress call from B.M.C (L - ward)
Kurla and few locals regarding sightings
of baby crocodiles inside Sheetal Talao which comes under the jurisdiction of
B.M.C. The complaint stated that there are five baby crocodiles released inside
the lake few days ago which was creating panic amongst the locals because the
lake was used for Ganpati Visarjan which is months away and thus the presence
of crocodiles in the lake was considered as a safety issue. We were also told
that small children swim in the lake and thus chances of Human-wildlife
conflict were more and an immediate help was needed so as to avoid it.
We then decided to visit the site and make a survey of the
lake and try locating the reptile. As soon as we reached the spot and started
interaction with the B.M.C officials and locals, we were shown videos and photographs
of a baby crocodile. We soon intimated the control room and carried out our
further survey.Our team of 16 members carried out a survey at the spot from the
afternoon to midnight of the above date mentioned. We came across some facts
and also observed some activities carried out there which according to us is of
high concern and immediate action should be taken regarding the same.
1.
We tried to locate the reptile which included
ten hour monitoring divided in to two parts, five hours in the day time and
five hours during the night but did not locate any crocodile in the lake.
2.
We came across some photographs and videos of a
crocodile, which according to the locals was caught and taken away by some
unknown person/authority to an unknown place. As the reptile comes under
Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act giving it highest priority and
immediate enquiry has to be made regarding who caught the crocodile and where
is it taken.
3.
We also came across the fact that the lake is used
for fishing, and many flap shelled turtles which were fished out of the lake
which too come under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
4.
The lake is used by many people for dumping
foreign species of fishes and turtles which disturbs and destroys the natural
habitat of the native species throwing a challenge to their survival. Thus a
high security check has to be implemented by the concerned authorities to stop
these activities.
5.
We also came across the fact that the lake needs
to be maintained better, by cleaning it from time to time as a good number of
aquatic wildlife resides in it and thus an initiative for their betterment and
welfare must be undertaken. The eye opening incident is shameful and requires to be looked up on seriously, or else there will be no point in taking up big initiatives just to show of!
No comments:
Post a Comment