BHOPAL: Add crocs to Bhopal's natural attractions. There are a whopping 22 crocodiles in Bhopal, says the first such census carried out by the forest department.
With 17-18 tigers believed to be living in forests that surround the city, Bhopal is a true example of living cozily with the wild as these animals are not on the fringes but very much in the vicinity of residential areas and educational institutions.
As many as 21 crocs live in Kaliasot lake and one in Kerwa -- both popular hangout zones. Two gharials have been spotted in Kaliasot. The census, which was completed on Sunday, also identified 103 bird species in the locality in the three-day census. The report ends with the remark that the safety and security of both humans and reptiles have equal priority.
“During the first crocodile and bird census of Kerwa and Kaliasot dams, 22 crocodiles and two gharials have been identified. There are nine adults, 12 sub-adults and one juvenile,” Zoological Survey of India scientist Dr Pratyush Mohapatra told TOI.
All the adult crocodiles are above 9 feet in size, sub-adults are below 6 feet and juveniles are below 3 feet, he added. “It is good to see the presence of ghariyals in an area which is not native to them,” said Mohapatra.
Around 50 people from government and private agencies participated in the census carried out under the joint aegis of Forest Division and Bhopal Birds Association.
Mohd Khalik of Bhopal Birds Association said 103 species of birds were identified. “The important ones we found are the painted stork, woolly neck stork, Brahmani shelduck, spot billed duck, river lapwing, large cormorant, little cormorant, pintail, little grebe, ruff, black wing stilt, little ring plover, gray heron, wheat wagtail, river tern, red crested pochard, crested serpent eagle, open bill stork and common sandpiper,” said Khalik.
Is the presence of so many crocodiles in lakes frequented by thousands of visitors a risk? In June 2020, a crocodile attacked a swimmer in Kaliasot and bit of a chunk of flesh from his thigh. He had a lucky escape. Swimming is banned in Kaliasot and Kerwa reservoirs but people do sneak in for a dip. There have been three croc attacks in Bhopal. In June 2011, a 17-year-old was killed by a crocodile and in September 2014, a 46-year old man was attacked when he was fishing.
The census team has suggested that safety and security of both humans and animals should be the priority, said Mahapatra, adding: “We have suggested putting up more signboards and deployment of guards near both reservoirs so that the ecosystem remains undisturbed.”
Bhopal DFO Alok Pathak said 17-18 tigers are seen in Bhopal. “Bhopal is a part of the tiger movement corridor from Ratapani to Nauradehi. During their movement, sometimes tigers stay put for a while and are spotted,” said Pathak. Earlier this month, a tiger got into the quarters of the Bhoj University vice-chancellor on campus and triggered quite a scare.
