Stepping up vigil against human interference in the Bhitarkanika National Park, forest personnel have arrested seven persons for fishing in crocodile habitation corridors. The accused persons have been taken into custody on the charge of unlawfully gaining access into water bodies and forest areas. “The offenders were crab catchers. They were booked under the provisions of sections 29 and 31, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. They are being forwarded to judicial custody. After seizing the crabs, we released them back into the wild,” said forest range officer Akshaya Nayak. “Crabs are the favoured food for crocodiles in the park that is home to more than 1,600 salt-water crocodiles. This is why we have launched a crackdown on unlawful crab-catching activities. Last week, two crab catchers were arrested and sent to jail,” he said. “Catching crabs is illegal. So is stocking, trading or shipping of crabs of any volume. People indulging in this will be booked under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the crabs will be confiscated. It has become imperative to protect mud crabs to maintain the crocodiles’ food chain,” Nayak said. “Fishing activity or any other form of human activities such as firewood collection within the wetland sites of the wildlife sanctuary and national park is a cognisable offence. The forest department has stepped up vigil on any act of trespass into the prohibited territories to ensure the safety of flora, fauna and the fragile eco-system of Bhitarkanika,” said forest officer of Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division Bimal Prasanna Acharya. “The department is sensitising those living around the sanctuary asking them to reduce dependence on the forest and its adjoining water bodies. Besides fishing, collection of firewood, honey, grass and leaves from the protected forest for livelihood needs is unlawful. For this reason, the department has launched initiatives and comprehensive programmes to provide alternate livelihood stakes to sanctuary-side villagers,” he said.