Cadets at the National Defence Academy (NDA) have been banned from using the Khadakwasla waters for naval training after a huge crocodile was spotted in the water body in July 2011. The NDA continues to use the waters for all sports except swimming.

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At the Khadakwasla camp, around 200 naval cadets are trained in sailing, water sports, swimming and other activities. NDA authorities said, “The crocodile found its way into the Khadakwasla lake due to the careless attitude of the forest authorities. We make the cadets swim only at the NDA swimming pools.”

Sources confirmed there have been informal talks among the forest, irrigation departments and the collector to suggest use of Bhugaon waters as a temporary option for the NDA cadets, till all crocodiles are shifted to a natural habitat at Chandoli near Kolhapur.

Collector of Pune, Prabhakar Deshmukh told DNA, “There have been informal talks about suggesting to the NDA to use Bhugaon waters, till the issue is resolved. We are yet to finalise on this issue. We have not yet had talks with the NDA authorities. But Bhugaon is a good option so that the cadets do not miss out on safe training.” 

The forest department approached Chennai Crocodile Bank Trust, but it is too busy.