Crocodile gives sleepless nights to Kadavacheri residents

CUDDALORE:

               A crocodile weighing about one tonne, spotted in Thamarai Kulam near Kadavacheri in Kattumannarkoil block, remains elusive.

              For the past three days, Forest Department officials have been making frantic efforts to capture the reptile, but in vain. Forest Ranger V. Vijayan told The Hindu that the crocodile had made the tank, spread over six acres, its habitat. The reptile had been in the habit of making forays into the nearby areas during nights, preying upon goats and chicken.

               Residents panicked and sought the help of the Forest Department to capture the crocodile, and the search started on Friday. So far, the crocodile has damaged 15 fishing nets spread out to capture it. On Sunday, the officials hired a boat from Paringipettai fishermen and took on board dozens of fishermen to look for the crocodile. Since, it used to hide in the slushy part of the tank, it was difficult to locate it, Mr. Vijayan said. It had been decided to burst crackers near the water source on Monday to scare the reptile to come out of the tank.

              The Forest Department had distributed handbills to the people residing near waterbodies cautioning them not to venture out during nights. They should not allow cattle to stray near water sources nor dispose any carcasses in the water.

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TAMBRAS for caste-based census

CUDDALORE: 

              The Tamil Nadu Brahmins' Association has expressed its support to caste-based census and directed its members to extend full cooperation to officials in this exercise, according to N. Narayanan, State president of the association.

               He was speaking at “Mupperum Vizha” held at Vriddhachalam on Sunday. Mr. Narayanan felicitated K. Thirumalai, president of the Manjakuppam branch of the association, for social services done by him over a period of time. The association also felicitated V. Arunachalam, president of the Vriddhachalam branch, and centenarian Balarama Sastri.

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Sensitisation programme for Cuddalore district fishermen

CUDDALORE: 

           Fishermen of Cuddalore district are being sensitised to the kind of cooperation to be extended to Coast Guard personnel for ensuring coastal security and tracking strangers who might stray into their habitations.

                These aspects were discussed with fishermen by resource persons of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation at a meeting held at the Parangipettai Village Knowledge Centre near here recently. Project officer of the centre R. Ilangovan told The Hindu that the resource persons shared with fishermen the details provided by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service, on height of the waves, weather report, places where fish shoals were occurring and other marine related aspects.

                  Traditional fishing practices and the use of modern technology too were discussed. Fishermen from places such as Parangipettai, Killai, Mudasal Odai, M.G.R. Nagar, Muzhukkuthurai, Periyakuppam, Annappanpettai, Samiyarpettai, C. Pudhupettai, Sinnur, Madhakoil and Thirumullaivasal.

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