Fear seems to have gripped fishermen operating in Palair reservoir in Kusumanchi mandal following instances of crocodile sightings in the Nagarjunasagar Project (NSP) canals in the district and elsewhere under the NSP left canal system over the past few days.
Last November, three baby crocodiles were spotted in the reservoir, which is fed by the Nagarjunasagar dam in Nalgonda district, and subsequently rescued by the Forest Department.
A three-feet crocodile was reportedly spotted by a group of women while washing clothes in the NSP left branch canal at Kothakothuru village near Nelakondapalli three days ago.
Two similar incidents were reported in the irrigation canals spanning across Khammam-Suryapet districts over a fortnight ago, sources added.
The series of reported sightings of crocodiles sparked fear among fishermen about the possible presence of more crocodiles in the reservoir and they have demanded increased patrolling in the water body.
An estimated 1,000 members of fishing community depend on the reservoir, one of the major hubs of freshwater fish and prawn culture in the State, for their livelihood.
Several local fishermen term the sightings unusual and suspect “foul play”. “I had never seen crocodiles in the reservoir in my fishing career spanning over two decades,” said a veteran fisherman of Nayakangudem, who did not wish to be identified.
“I suspect the involvement of unscrupulous elements to trouble fishermen,” he added.
The situation warrants joint patrolling by the government departments concerned to capture the remaining crocodiles, if any, in the reservoir before they multiply and pose threat to humans and cattle, said Uppalaiah, a local fisherman.
District Forest Officer Sunil Hiremath told The Hindu that instructions have been issued to step up patrolling along the reservoir and the canals to trace the remaining crocodiles in the reservoir.
