Gujarat: Keeping tourists safety in mind crocodiles near Statue of Unity to be relocated, 12 caught so far
Ahmedabad: Keeping in mind the safety of tourists visiting the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Narmada district, crocodiles from two ponds near the are being relocated. News agency PTI reported, on Sunday the officials dismissed the reports that the move is linked to the seaplane service.
The official further added that around 20 cages have been set up along with the banks of the two ponds. These cages are officially known as Dyke 3 and 4 to trap the crocodiles. Reportedly, Aradhana Sahu, Conservator of Forests, (Vadodara Wildlife Circle) told the agency that 12 crocodiles have been caught so far. She further added there was no specific target for the number of reptiles that need to be captured.
Sahu further added that the area around the Statue of Unity is attracting a huge number of tourists but the two ponds have crocodiles which exists as a threat to the tourists. As per a rough estimate, there will be around 300 crocodiles in that area, Sahu further added.
PTI report claimed that a field officer overseeing the operation mentioned that 20 cages with meat and fish as bait, have been installed near the two ponds. As soon as the crocodile comes out to eat the food kept in the cage, they get caught inside.
Meanwhile, the rescued crocodiles will be released in the main reservoir of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the near future, Idrish Topiya, Assistant Conservator of Forests told agency. However, both Sahu and Topiya denied reports that the crocodiles were being removed from the dykes to make way for a proposed seaplane service to cater to SoU tourists.
Reportedly, earlier on January 23, state Civil Aviation minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama had announced that a seaplane service connecting Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity would commence soon.
SJ Haider, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Civil Aviation Department, told the agency that a location for a water aerodrome near the Sardar Patel memorial had not been decided yet. Recently, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had said over 10,000 tourists were visiting the memorial every day since the 182-metre statue was unveiled in October 2018.
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