Villagers in Kendrapada district, who have been victims of frequent attacks of estuarine crocodiles, wild boars and spotted deer, complain that their plea for safety and security has fallen on deaf ears of politicians, for which it would be a major factor for the voters in the district which will go to poll on April 17.
“We are still undecided whom to vote. In the past, promises have been made only to be broken. Nobody is sensitive to our suffering. We will vote for a candidate who will ensure our safety and protection,” said Radhakant Manna, a voter of Kansara-Badadandua village.
The Rajnagar and Mahakalpada Assembly constituencies account for an estimated one lakh voters who are by and large affected by wildlife and forest laws. And they hold the key to the final outcome of the polls.Prohibitory measures relating to the national park, the wildlife sanctuary and the wildlife sanctuary have severely affected the villagers’ livelihoods.
Even the seven-month-long embargo in a year on fishing in sea to ensure safety of Olive Ridley turtles has become another issue in these backward villages. In the past five years, several persons were killed and many more injured because of crocodile and boar attacks while crops were destroyed by wild boars and spotted deer.
The livelihoods of the villagers have been affected after the crocodile breeding and rearing project at Dangamala in the Bhitarakanika forest began operating in 1975, following which the Forest Department has imposed a ban on fishing in rivers and creeks within the areas.