Kendrapada, Odisha: A tragic crocodile attack in Odisha has once again highlighted the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict along the Brahmani River. Forest officials recovered the half-eaten body of a woman who had been dragged into the river by a saltwater crocodile while carrying out routine activities near the riverbank.

The victim had gone missing immediately after the attack, prompting an intensive search operation by the Forest Department and local residents. After several hours, search teams located her mutilated remains downstream, confirming the fatal crocodile attack.

The Brahmani River and the nearby Bhitarkanika region support one of India’s largest populations of saltwater crocodiles. While conservation efforts have helped the species recover, encounters between crocodiles and people have become more frequent as local communities depend on rivers for fishing, bathing, and collecting water.

Forest authorities have urged residents to avoid entering rivers known to be crocodile habitats, particularly during dawn and dusk when the reptiles are most active. Officials are also considering additional awareness campaigns and preventive measures to reduce the risk of future attacks.

The incident is a stark reminder that conserving wildlife must go hand in hand with ensuring the safety of communities living alongside India’s rivers and wetlands.