On a quiet, hazy wintry morning, a small motorboat with its engines chugging noisily approaches the peaceful mangroves on the north bank of Vashisthi River, and suddenly there is a furious activity in the thick bushes and marshes with hundreds of birds taking flight.
Scores of big and small freshwater crocodiles seem to wake up and scurry into the safety of the brackish low-tide waters, some cast a suspicious glance at the unwelcome intrusion while others snap their huge toothy jaws in warning, chilling and thrilling the small band of brave tourists in the boat.
Welcome to Maharashtra's first natural 'Kokan Crocodile Safari' on the banks of Vashishti River at Maldoli village in Ratnagiri.
The scene is repeated often during the hourlong boat safari on both banks, upstream and downstream, sending slivers of shivers up the spines of the visitors who view wild crocodiles at an arm's length.
An ancient settlement, Maldoli, around 27 kms upstream from the famed Arabian Sea's Dabhol Port, is located some 275 kms south of Mumbai, was once the centre for aweighinga¿
( With inputs from IANS )