Sources at the department told Newsline that after witnessing the ill-treatment of crocodiles in the name of rescue operations by different organisations, authorities have decided to control the activity that is often found unnecessary.

Nayan Desai, Deputy Conservator of Forests, said: “We are simply making them aware of the rules and regulations. For us, the animals are important, not the organisations that are into this business. We have sent a clear message that no rescue operation will be initiated in the absence of forest officials. This has been done after we realised that the crocodiles were suffering in the infighting of the rescue workers.”

The organisations will also have to submit a complete report of the rescue work in written form to the Forest department.

“Its not just the crocodiles, even snakes and other animals and birds were taken into consideration when we decided to act tough against the activists. We realised that there were many rescue operations, which were not even brought to the notice of the Forest department, which is illegal,” a forest official said.