Humans Sharing Space and Crocodiles Adaptations: A Case Study in Bhitarkonika Wildlife Sanctuary, Kendrapara, Odisha

Abstract

The instance between human-crocodile conflict is a very serious issue in the present era. This accident is gradually increased with the progress of human civilization. By the process of human explosion and minimizing the natural resources, human beings appear to a natural habitat area. So, the term comes human-wildlife conflict that refers to the negative interaction between humans and wild animals, leading to adverse impacts such as injury or loss of human lives, crops, livestock and other properties and at the same time equally negative impacts to the wild animals or their habitats. Our study about human crocodile conflict in BhitarKanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha. The number of semi-structured interviews with households are 50 which is involved with age, gender, education, perception and attitude of the inhabitants about saltwater crocodiles. Some secondary information collected from govt. office of Odisha, journals related to season wise victim rate, activities of the people when attack with fatal and non-fatal, male-female wise victim rate etc. The study about human crocodile conflict is very significant because it includes an increase in the human population close to crocodile habitants, changing lifestyles and economic aspirations; reduced appreciation of wildlife, land use changes; tourism policies, aquaculture, fishing and wet land habitat fragmentation, loss and degradation (MOEFCC, 2023). The conservation and management strategy of saltwater crocodiles in BhitarKanika Wildlife Sanctuary is very much essential for maintaining the balance of bio-diversity by creating awareness among people, minimizing the use of natural resources, development of alternative livelihood of the local people, setting more bath huts in the sanctuary. These comprehensive management plan reduce the dependency on forest resources and minimize the human crocodile conflict.