A few days ago there was talk of a crocodile everywhere. The name was ‘Gangaram’. The crocodile of Bawa Mohtara village in Bemetara district of Chhattisgarh, whom the villagers treated not as a wild animal but as a member of their family. It is said that Gangaram, who lived in the village pond for about 130 years, never attacked any human being. When he died, the entire village mourned, even the stoves were not lit in many houses and he was cremated with full respect. Gangaram’s story gave people confidence that a relationship of trust can be formed between humans and wildlife. But a few days after the same story, a news from Bihar has forced people to think again.
Is every crocodile like Gangaram? Or does the rainy season change their behaviour? This question is arising because Bihar A crocodile caught both the legs of a woman going to the fields in its jaws. Had there been a delay of a few seconds, this incident could have proved fatal. This incident took place in Bagaha of West Champaran district of Bihar. Like every day on Sunday morning, people were going towards the fields in Bhapsa drain connected to Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR). Barsati Devi, a resident of Pachrukha Sirisiya village, had also set out to go to the fields with her husband and other labourers. No one had any idea that a crocodile was already waiting in ambush in the bushes. As soon as the woman reached the bank of the drain, the crocodile came out at lightning speed and caught hold of both her legs in its strong jaws. The entire area echoed with the woman’s scream.
The whole scene changed in a few seconds
The rain goddess was screaming in pain and the crocodile was trying to pull her towards the water. In such a situation, the villagers accompanying him showed courage. Someone picked up a stick, someone a spade and many people started attacking the crocodile with the umbrella they had in their hands. The crocodile got scared due to the continuous noise and retaliatory attacks and finally left the woman and ran into the bushes. Villagers say that if there had been a delay of a few more seconds, it would have been difficult to save the woman’s life.
Woman reached hospital, doctors gave relief
As soon as information about the incident was received, the Madanpur forest area team, Dial-112 police and local public representatives reached the spot. Forest department employees immediately took the injured woman to Bagaha sub-divisional hospital. After first aid, doctors said that the woman was out of danger, although she had serious injuries on both her legs.
Forest department’s warning – greatest danger during rainy season
According to Madanpur Forest Range Officer Naseem Ahmed Ansari, Bhapsa drain is the natural habitat of crocodiles. He told that due to increase in water during monsoon, crocodiles become more active and sometimes even come out of their normal area. The Forest Department has appealed to the people to avoid crossing the drain during the rainy season and use safe alternative routes wherever possible. Besides, the process of giving compensation to the family of the injured woman as per rules will also be started.
But the question remains the same… Gangaram never attacked.
This incident here people Chhattisgarh Reminds me of K Gangaram. Gangaram, who lived in the pond in the middle of Bava Mohtara village of Bemetara district, lived there for about 130 years. According to the villagers, children used to play on the banks of the pond. Women used to collect water. People used to sit near the same pond every day. But Gangaram never harmed any person. When he died in 2019, the entire village bid him farewell like a human being. Today his story is about to reach books.
Then why is not every crocodile like Gangaram?
Wildlife experts say that the behavior of any wild animal depends on its habitat, food, environment and circumstances. Gangaram lived among humans for years in a confined pond. The villagers also behaved with him in such a way that conflict situation did not arise. Whereas the crocodile of Valmiki Tiger Reserve is a hunter living in completely natural forests and rivers and streams. Such crocodiles can see any movement in their area as a threat.
Why do crocodile attacks increase in monsoon?
The rainy season is considered to be the most active time for crocodiles. There are many reasons behind this like rivers and drains get connected with each other. Crocodiles reach new areas. Due to increase in water their movement increases manifold.
With the start of work in the fields, the movement of humans to water areas increases. In such a situation, the possibility of face to face also increases. This is the reason why reports of crocodile attacks start increasing every year during monsoon.
There was a death a few days ago also
According to local people, this is not the first incident in Bhapsa drain. A few days ago, a villager had died in a crocodile attack in the same area. Due to continuous incidents, panic has spread in the surrounding villages. Now people have become afraid of going to the fields alone and are going out in groups. Gangaram is hopeful, but caution is also necessary. Gangaram’s story shows that co-existence between humans and wildlife is possible. But the Bagaha incident also reminds us that the behavior of every crocodile is not the same. Every creature in the forest behaves according to its natural instincts. Therefore, any kind of carelessness in areas with rivers, streams and natural habitat of crocodiles can prove fatal. On one hand, the memory of Gangaram brings a smile on the faces of people, while on the other hand, the Bagaha incident warns that not only trust but also caution is equally important while stepping into the area of crocodiles in monsoon.
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