WILDLIFE deaths continue in Chhattisgarh with chain of incidents in last few months. In a recent case, carcass of a crocodile was found in the Khuntaghat Dam near Ratanpur on Tuesday. The serious injury marks on its body caused by a sharp-edged weapon have raised suspicions whether that it was hunted. However, the exact cause of death will only be known after the postmortem reports. Previously, a crocodile carcass was found not far from the same location two months ago. According to information, the fishermen spotted the crocodile’s carcass on Tuesday near the rest house situated above the Khuntaghat reservoir. The carcass subsequently drifted towards the shore. The fishermen immediately informed the Forest Department and kept the body in their control.

 

Earlier, on April 2, a crocodile carcass was found near ‘Satbahiniya’ spot located beneath the ‘West Weir’ just a short distance from this same location. Although a large number of crocodiles inhabit in Khuntaghat Dam and suspicions of poaching have been raised in the past, no firm measures on their safety have been implemented so far. While there is frequent discussion about the welfare and protection of these crocodiles and establishing a crocodile park had gained momentum, the plan was eventually shelved. A significant number of crocodiles reside in the Khuntaghat Dam within the Kharang Division and they are classified as rare creatures. Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Bilaspur Forest Range, TR Marai stated that the fishermen spotted a crocodile’s carcass in Khuntaghat reservoir. The facts will be clear only after the postmortem reports are received, he stated.