Bahraich, July 19 -- The forest department has intensified safety measures after a 12-year-old boy died in a crocodile attack in the Saryu River under Baundi police station limits. On Saturday, chief conservator of forests (Central Zone) Renu Singh visited Tikuri village, inspected the site and interacted with local residents, urging them to stay away from the river and remain vigilant. Addressing villagers, Dr Singh said the Saryu River is the natural habitat of crocodiles and other aquatic wildlife. She said crocodiles often move closer to the riverbanks during the monsoon. She advised residents not to enter the river unnecessarily, asked parents not to allow children to go near the river alone, and urged people to immediately inform the Forest Department about any crocodile sightings or suspicious activity. She said public safety remains the department's top priority and that continuous monitoring is being carried out. Villagers demanded permanent safety measures, saying crocodiles are frequently seen in the area and previous attacks have caused concern. In response, Dr Singh directed forest officials to intensify awareness campaigns in vulnerable villages, make regular public announcements and educate residents about avoiding the river, especially during the monsoon. Meanwhile, a photograph and video circulated widely on social media on Saturday claiming that the crocodile responsible for the fatal attack had been captured by the Forest Department. However, Bahraich divisional forest officer (DFO) Sundresh Mysore dismissed the claim, saying no crocodile had been caught. He said the Saryu River is about 3 to 4 kilometres wide near the incident site and is a natural habitat for crocodiles, making it virtually impossible to identify the specific animal involved in the attack. He again appealed to people to stay out of the river and strictly follow the safety advisories....