Since May 16, the muggers were evading the entangled nets laid by the forest authorities in the reservoir. Of the amount, five per cent will go to core fund of the EDC and the rest will be shared by the five members. But, the amount paid by the department is meager as the job involves risking ones life. The children are the most vulnerable as their parents leave for work in the morning, says Mr. Biju, son of the deceased Rajamma. Over 1200 families residing on the banks of the reservoir are living in panic and constant fear as they never know when the crocodiles will attack them.
Locals say that the crocodiles had multiplied manifold over the years.
However, the authorities are not in a position to dispute this or to give a correct figure about the crocodile population. Tourists undertaking boating in the reservoir are also prone to attack from the crocodiles. The forest department has now decided to install floating bathing ghats on selected areas on experimental basis. The farm was established near the reservoir as part of preserving the species. Hunting crocodiles collectively or destroying crocodile eggs are punishable under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.