In a daily dose of bizarre, a condolence meet was organized for a crocodile in Vadodara. As strange as it may sound, a wildlife activist said that the 10-feet-long reptile was a ‘family member’ to their community. The condolence meet is a strange, yet interesting example that with enough respect for another being, animals and humans can coexist peacefully.
Details
When the word condolence meet is said out loud, our minds are filled with the images of people dressed in white coloured clothes, sitting peacefully to pay respect to the dead. Our noses are filled with the smell of incense sticks, and we can hear the sound of shlokas purifying the atmosphere.
A similar stage was set in Vadodara on the ghats of a Baroda River. The air was filled with the sound of shlokas and people sat peacefully, mourning the dead. But there was one small difference in the whole ordeal. The condolence wasn’t held for a human, but for a crocodile.
Yes, you heard it right, for a cold-blooded reptile, infamous for its predatory instincts.
The Facts of the Matter
Earlier yesterday, a wildlife activist in Baroda held a condolence meet for a 10-feet-long crocodile which was found dead near the Vishwamitri river. A wildlife activist Vishal Thakur was quoted saying, “He was like a member of our family and stayed among us for so many years. We had spotted him many times during our visit to the river. His sudden death pained us and so we decided to pay tribute to the reptile. It was heartening to see many citizens attending the meet.”
Similar to how a condolence meet of a fellow human is organized, the crocodile’s condolence meet saw a photograph being placed at the venue with attendees paying their respect by throwing flowers on the photograph and joining their hands in a small player.
The Real Reason Behind the Condolence Meet
On August 10, the carcass of the reptile was found in the Vishwamitri river in Sayajigunj. Strangely enough, the 150 kg carcass was the fourth carcass of a crocodile identified within 2 months. Vishal Thakur further shared the reason of the condolence meet and said that it was held to raise awareness about the idea of river conservation and conservation of aquatic animals like reptiles.
“If any Asiatic lion dies in Gir forest, villagers express grief as they are attached to the big cats. Barodians have been co-existing with crocodiles for many decades but how many really care for these reptiles? In fact, many litter the river with garbage. We organized this meet to involve citizens in conserving the river and the reptiles,” he said.
The Implication of the Interesting Initiative
Another condolence meet attendee Parth said how the river is a home to hundreds of crocodiles and because of the condolence meet, he was able to learn more about reptiles and their importance in eco-system. “Vishwamitri is home to hundreds of crocodiles was known to me but I felt that it is just another reptile living among us. During the meet, I learnt about how crocodiles are important for our eco-system and like us, they too have a family. I will participate in the campaigns to conserve these reptiles now on,” Parth said.
“Like Mangal Pandey’s Death..”
Meanwhile, the wildlife enthusiasts that were at the meeting also compared the death of the crocodile to that of death of freedom fighter Mangal Pandey, which led to the 1857 rebellion. “Like Pandey’s death triggered a revolution across the country, this reptile’s death would shake up people and compel the authorities to act,” one of the wildlife enthusiasts named Soni said.
