People living in several villages of Sheopur Kalan district in Madhya Pradesh fetch water from the Parbati, a tributary of the Chambal, every day. As runaway crocodiles from a sanctuary 5 km away have moved up the river near the villages, lives are in danger.

Women, who bear the burden of collecting water for their homes, are the most at risk. The Forest Department has put out just a warning sign: “Fetch water at your own risk.” The district administration too has failed to come up with a solution. The women test the waters before dipping their pots. “Take a long stick; if you feel the still water, double-check for a crocodile,” says Mousmi Meena, as she quickly dunks her pitcher in the water. “Of course, my heart quakes in fear. But is dying of thirst an option?”

Drought-like conditions prevail in the region. Water pumps and wells have long gone dry, forcing the people of Icchana Khedi, Malarna and Dalarna Kalan to use the river water for drinking and washing utensils and clothes. “We don’t have an option as the water from the village borewell is extremely salty,” Satrawat Meena, a resident, says.

The sanctuary for crocodiles and gharials was opened at Palighat two years ago. The big reptiles had ventured outside the protected territory and attacked animals, but the problem went unchecked. The people lost a few of their cows and goats in the past year. “The crocodiles have tasted blood,” says a resident, knowing full well that the conflict is not going away soon. Mangilal Gurjar, sarpanch of a village, has given up hope for a solution anytime soon.

The crocodile problem has another social dimension. For over a year, young men in the villages have had to postpone their marriages, with some even facing rejection.

“Neighbouring villages refuse to give their women in marriage to men in the affected villages because of the crocodile threat,” Dhanjeet Singh Meena, a resident, says.