Katraj lake croc still eludes PMC

Despite falling water levels caused by delayed monsoons, PMC officials have been unable to catch lone crocodile on prowl at the lake

Katraj lake croc still eludes PMC

Despite falling water levels caused by delayed monsoons, PMC officials have been unable to catch lone crocodile on prowl at the lake

Despite the fact that water levels in the four lakes that supply to the city are falling due to poor rains, there is actually a lake in the city where authorities desperately want the water levels to fall further. This is the Katraj lake, a picturesque water body frequented by locals and tourists alike.

The lake is haunted by a crocodile, which has kept many paniced visitors away since it was sighted in November last year. The authorities want to catch the crocodile and put it in the zoo but find their efforts hampered by the high water levels. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) authorities have been trying to catch the crocodile since it was first spotted last November.

Civic officials had hoped that they would finally succeed in summer when the water levels were expected to fall considerably.

Deep waters
Said Bhanudas Mane, chief of the civic garden department, "We have not been able to trace or capture the crocodile so far. This is because the lake has high water levels and plenty of fish. Had the water level fallen, we would have captured the crocodile. Till last November, the lake had been a favourite spot for those who wished to go on boat rides. However, once news about the crocodile spread, the boat rides became relatively infrequent. Ankush Mane, a college student recalls the good times he had rowing in this lake.

"My girlfriend and I rarely come to the lake these days. On those occasions, weu00a0 sit in the gardens or watch the wildlife," Ankush said.

Nidhi Wahegaonkar, a local, who too used to frequent the lake for boating said, "After the boat rides stopped, we hardly visit this place. We hope the PMC manages to catch thecrocodile soon."