KENDRAPARA: The danger of getting attacked by saltwater crocodiles does not deter hundreds of women of Talachua and adjacent villages in Kendrapara district from venturing into the rivers and creeks of Bhitarkanika national park to collect prawn seeds.
For Kalpana Mandal (32), a resident of the village, collecting prawn seeds from the crocodile infested creeks is a daily affair. “The male members of the village venture into the sea on their mechanised boats for fishing while we catch baby prawns in the rivers and creeks”, she said, adding that the process requires little technology and investment. Age is no bar and competition is tough as 12-year-old Mamata Samal vies with 42-year-old Sabitri Maiti of Batighar to collect prawn seeds to eke out a living.
However, Subrat Patra, the forest range officer of Bhitarkanika, said catching baby prawns in the rivers and creeks of Bhitarkanka national park and its nearby areas is a dangerous way to make a living. “In the dense mangrove forest and creeks, saltwater crocodiles find it easy to attack human beings”, he said.
Last year, two women crab catchers were killed in the area by crocodiles but the lure of money prompts women and children to join the prawn trail.
Almost all residents of Jamboo, Petchhela, Suniti, Pravati, Tubi, Ramnagar, Talachua and Batighar collect prawn seeds. “Across the seaside villages of Kendrapara district, at least 3,000 women have been eking out their livelihood by catching baby prawns. The waters in the creeks are infested with crocodiles. Around five fatal crocodile attacks are documented here every year. But the lure of additional income is strong enough for these women to risk their lives to catch baby prawns,” said Narayan Haldar, president of Odisha Matsyajibi Forum. A baby prawn catcher earns around `100 to `200 daily.
