Hyderabad: Lack of proper care and attention by forest departments pose a threat to crocodile habitat in Manjeera sanctuary. Crocodiles frequently seen moving into the fields in villages on the banks of the river near Zaheerabad, Nyalkal, and in Hothi-K and Raikode mandals during summer. Forest officials catch at least half-a-dozen crocodiles from these mandals every year. In November and December 2015, as many as 14 crocodiles were caught while in 2016, around 7 crocodiles were caught.
Human settlements going up near water sources, increased use of water, fishing nets and nest destruction degrade their habitat. Sand mining, river linking, projects on the river-fronts, dams and barrages result from settlements. Industries dumping waste in rivers adversely effect the ecology threatening the wildlife. A senior official from the forest department, on condition of anonymity, said, “We make sure that there is no disturbance to the habitat and human activities are kept to the minimum in order to protect the crocodiles. They come out now then to farms or paddy fields.”
