Indian Express 01.06.2010
Katraj lake: Tourists spot crocodile, civic body to check
The crocodile fear at Katraj lake has once again come to haunt the citizens as few tourists claimed that they had spotted crocodile during the visit. However, the administration which is refusing to halt boating in the lake will undertake search operation on Tuesday to ascertain whether the information was correct.
“We have recieved complaints of crocodile being spotted in the lake. We doubt the presence of crocodile as boating is going on for long and also the lake is used by fishermen and there were no complaints so far. There is no source of the crocodile entering the lake,” said PMC garden superintendent Bhanudas Mane.
“The tourists have failed to submit a photograph of the reptile,” he said, adding that the activities in the lake will not be stopped unless it was proved that the crocodile was there in the lake. “I have asked the civic staff at the zoo and all the fishermen to keep a close eye for next few days. Everyone will be asked to click photograph of the reptile if they spot it,” he said, adding that further action will taken based on the civic staff report in the next few days. Prof Samra at Spicer College has informed the civic administration of crocodile in the Katraj lake.
“I along with my wife and four students visited the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and later took a boat ride in the lake. It was a student who first spotted the reptile and I could later see the crocodile hiding itself in water,” he said.
The civic administration was immediately informed, he said, adding that the civic staff has asked him to file a written complaint.
The crocodile was first spotted in November 2008 and efforts to catch it continued for months.
All activities at the lake were suspended but resumed after six months after it was caught by the administration and released in Panshet dam.
