Berhampur, Despite claimed conservation measures crocodile number in Mahanadi river of Kusang wild life range of Boudh district,showed reduction of the raptile.During the crocodile census conduted by the Satkosia wildlife division,a total of 19 crocodiles of two species of crocodiles Gharial and Mugger found in the Kusang range.Of them,while 3 adult gharials and eight juveniles,the Muggar specie counted at five adults and 3 juveniles.The irony is that in 2024 the wildlife range claimed 35 births of crocodile.Three teams of wildlife range counted the crocodiles for three days which ended on yesterday,said S.Bhargia.However,the number of crocodiles increased in Ghodahada reservoir of Ganjam district.According to Berhampur DFO,Sunny khokkar during the current years census a total of 87 crocodiles of Mugger specie counted.Total 6 team engaged in the census for 3 days head counting in Ghodahada and near by 16 ponds.While 56 crocodiles found in the reservoir,rest 31 found in ponds.Last year 84 crocodiles counted and this year 3 increased from last year census.The irony is that,a sizable area of the reservoir got driedup this year due to lack of rain,what even compelled to stop the boating facility provided by eco-retreat offorest dept.Now the boats remained idle.
