Bhadra, one of the major rivers of Malnad, stands testimony to atrocities on nature in the name of development. In fact, Bhadra is one of the most polluted rivers in the State, thanks to discharge of untreated industrial and urban waste. Death of fishes in Bhadra has become a common phenomenon and scientific reports have declared the river water unfit for human consumption.
   However, Bhadra is making news for different reasons now. The stretch of this river from Sunnadahalli to Nagatibelagalu village in Bhadravati taluk has turned into a cherished abode of crocodiles. According to official sources, around 250 crocodiles are found in the 8 km stretch of the river.
   Though crocodiles have always been present in the river for many years now, the sudden spurt in their numbers has been in the past four years, for which reasons are many. According to a few residents, indiscriminate dumping of waste generated from non-vegetarian restaurants and chicken stalls into the river is one of the main reasons for this sudden increase in the number of crocodiles. Also, dumping of medical waste from the nursing homes in the City into the river is believed to be another reason.
   Over the last two years, there have been many incidents of muggers attacking cattle which graze on river banks. However, on April 9, crocodiles attacked a person named Babu, who is crippled now.
   According to a few residents of the area, there have been many incidents of cowherds gone missing from the river bank, but unfortunately, these incidents got buried in police documents as ‘death by drowning.’
   The river stretch near Bhadravati is an ideal breeding ground for crocodiles. Rocky formation in the river and on banks are nests for crocodiles to lay eggs. Availability of sufficient quantity of food is an added advantage.
   According to Kenchanna, a local fisherman, “After breeding, they move upstream along the river towards Western Ghats while the younger ones move downstream along with the water current. When the rain recedes, muggers come back to Bhadra river, adjacent to Bhadravati, for breeding. Hence crocodiles are found near Bhadravati only during summer, which is the breeding season.”
   He termed the sudden rise in the number of crocodiles in the recent past as something unusual.
  A letter was forwarded to the Principal Conservator of Forest and Wildlife, seeking assistance for shifting crocodiles to the backwaters of Bhadra reservoir near Lakkavalli.
   The authorities have now written back to the Bhadravati Range Forest Office seeking details of the number of crocodiles in the river, cost of the shifting operation, availability of experts for the operation and the chances of animals getting accustomed to the new habitat and its effect on other species in the backwater region.

The operation
   According to Mr Venkateshan, deputy conservator of forests, the operation to shift crocodiles may begin from the first week of July.
   A proposal has also been sent to the principal conservator of forest and wildlife regarding manpower and financial assistance needed to shift crocodiles.
   Divulging details of the proposed shifting operation, he said, “We are planning to shift the animals in batches to Bhadra backwaters near Lakkavalli and Umblebailu and each course is expected to cost Rs 3,500. Cages, batteries, boats and other equipments needed to catch crocodiles will be purchased with the amount. Also, services of youth from Bennekrishna Circle in the City who have succeeded in catching crocodiles will also be availed. In addition to this, a veterinary doctor and fishermen who are familiar with the river will be included in the team,” he informed.
   According to Range Forest Officer Vijay Kumar, since crocodiles are an endangered species, forest guards have been asked to patrol the area to keep poachers away.

Impediments
   Though the proposal for shifting is expected to get a nod from the higher authorities, possible impediments in the operation are many. Crocodiles bask in the sun for long hours and by mid-noon almost all the crocodiles are out in the sun, making it easier to count them. Though the Forest Department has decided to employ the basking method to survey the number of crocodiles, they still haven’t come up with a conclusive number.
   And, according to experts, a major problem these crocodiles might face in their new habitat is the shortage of food and the possibility of human-animal conflict. Also, fishermen whose main source of livelihood is the fish in the river may be hit badly as crocodiles may feed on all the fish in the river due to shortage of food.
   And, monsoon becomes active in Malnad during July and it is highly risky to carry the shifting operation around this time.

Save the crocs please...
   Though crocodiles attacking humans is a matter of concern, initiatives to conserve the animal are equally important.
   Prof Venkateshwarulu of the Department of Zoology in Kuvempu University stresses on the need for initiatives to conserve crocodiles. Regarding the possibility of establishing a crocodile park in the region on the lines of the one in Chennai, he says since shifting such a large number of crocodiles is practically difficult, the stretch of river where they are found in abundance can be declared ‘protected’ by maintaining minimum human activities.

Hunters on the prowl
   Inspired by Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter, a group of adventurous men from the Bennekrishna Circle area of Bhadravati comprising Girish, Hemant, Gokul, Aruna, Jayaprakash, Manju, Lawrence, Mahesh, Raghu and Laxmikanth have caught three crocodiles and released them into the backwaters of Bhadra reservoir near Umblebail.
   The method they employ to catch crocodiles is very simple. They use a long rope with a piece of chicken as bait and as soon as the animal catches the bait, they drag it to the bank of the river by pulling the rope. Once the animal is caught, its mouth is clasped shut with ropes. There is always the danger of the animal retaliating when it is being dragged to the river bank. This point of time is crucial as atleast 10 men are needed to overpower the animal. The  crocodile has to be pinned down to the ground and its legs and tail need to be strapped.
   This is the only expert crocodile catching group in the entire State and these young men are enthusiastic to help the Forest Department in shifting the muggers. Many organisations have felicitated the youths for their courage and grit!