Crocodiles are Neighbors to Indian Villages: Is this coexistence possible?
One such village called Bawa Mohtara in Chhattisgarh is revealed to domesticate a gentle and friendly crocodile that the villagers have regarded as their champion naming the crocodile Gangaram.
Many wild animals are known to have human-wildlife coexistence in India. As per Wildlife conservation Trust, over 30,000 Indians declared voluntary possession of exotic animals. One such village called Bawa Mohtara in Chhattisgarh is revealed to domesticate a gentle and friendly crocodile that the villagers have regarded as their champion naming the crocodile Gangaram. Crocodiles are known to be powerful and unbeatable predators, having a very opportunistic nature, even humans can also turn into their usual victims.
Nevertheless, the villagers saw uniqueness towards Gangaram and truly trusted him, as he never harmed children while they played, never bothered the women of the village washing clothes by the pond. “He was not a crocodile but a friend,” Basawan, a resident of Bawa Mohtara village in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district, told Hindustan Times. Gangaram swam peacefully alongside young children and attacked no one; even the villagers respected and responded to him, also made sure he was never harmed. The village Bawa Mohtara was also named after Gangaram and was later called as “Magarmachha-vala gaon" because of his presence.
Gangaram died at age 130 of natural causes, this shocked the villagers, around 500 individuals showed-up for his last rights. Gangaram was carried on a tractor and was embellished with a garland. He was cremated, and the villagers also built him a memorial honoring him on the pond’s bank. Many households in the village mourned his death and didn't cook for a day. Gangaram also received respect from other communities that lived in and around the Bawa Mohtara village.
There are many similar villages in India to witness occasional events where coexistence of exotic predators and humans are seen. Charotar district in Gujarat has similarities with the Bawa village as the relationship with reptiles is normal. According to surveys by the local NGO, “Voluntary Nature Conservancy, there are at least 164 resident mugger crocodiles in Charotar’s 30 villages, an area that packs over 600 people per sq km”. These activities don’t bother the residents from swimming as well, making sure both the animals and Humans live in harmony. Gangarams story stands as a testimony for more Human-Predator relations.
The article is authored by Sherin MJ, an intern from Loyala Academy, Hyderabad
