https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Crocodile Chaos in Vadodara: How Floods Forced Reptiles into City Streets

In Vadodara's August 2024 floods, crocodiles were driven into urban areas, sparking fear. The Forest Department rescued over 50 crocodiles, managing their safe relocation while dealing with the challenges of flood-induced displacements.
Indian Masterminds Stories

On the night of August 28th, after a relentless downpour had finally ceased amidst the heavy flooding in Vadodara, Gujarat, the city was gripped by a pervasive sense of fear and panic that left many residents sleepless. Rajan, a 50-year-old resident of Sayajibaug, emerged from his home only to be met with a sight that was both shocking and terrifying: a 12-foot-long crocodile was slithering down the street toward him. Overcome with dread, Rajan immediately shouted a warning to others and sought refuge in a safer location.

Meanwhile, Suman, who lived in Gorwa, witnessed two crocodiles making their way along the road from the vantage point of her rooftop and swiftly alerted the Forest Department. In the Kamnath Nagar area near Fatehgunj, residents were stunned to find a crocodile that had navigated through the floodwaters and ended up at a house in their colony. For many, this was an unprecedented sight.

The devastating floods and continuous rains that struck Gujarat in the last week of August had submerged numerous cities and caused widespread destruction. In Vadodara, the situation was further exacerbated by crocodiles displaced from the Vishwamitri River due to the flooding. However, the swift response of the Forest Department proved instrumental in alleviating the city’s fears. In just three days, they successfully rescued over 45 crocodiles roaming the city. An additional 5 to 7 crocodiles were captured subsequently. Unfortunately, three crocodiles lost their lives after being struck by a train while on the railway tracks. The Forest officials conducted health checks on all the rescued crocodiles before releasing them to safer locations.

To gain deeper insights into the rescue operations, Indian Masterminds spoke with Mr. Agneeshwar Vyas, an IFS officer from the 2014 batch and the head of the Vadodara South division. He provided valuable information on the crocodile rescue efforts, the number of crocodiles involved, and the nature of these formidable creatures.

THE VISHWAMITRI RIVER: THE NATURAL HABITAT OF CROCODILES

The recent devastating floods in Vadodara have driven aquatic animals, including large crocodiles, into residential areas, instilling fear and concern among residents. In response, the Forest Department and animal activists have mobilized to rescue these creatures and relocate them to safer environments.

The first sighting of a crocodile within the city was reported during the night of August 27-28. The Vishwamitri River, which flows through the heart of Vadodara, serves as a natural habitat for a substantial population of crocodiles. Crocodiles are classified as a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, and the Vishwamitri River is known to host a significant number of them. According to the last census conducted in 2021, the river is home to over 700 crocodiles.

When the water levels in the river rise, the banks overflow, forcing crocodiles to leave their natural habitat and venture into human-populated areas. While this is a common occurrence during the monsoon season, the situation this year was exacerbated by the unprecedented scale of the floods. The severity of the flooding caused water to spread extensively across the city, leading crocodiles to roam far beyond their usual territory.

RESTRAINING CROCODILES

To manage the crocodile rescue efforts, the Forest Department organized specialized teams led by range officers and supported by numerous volunteers. They also established helplines—9409027166 and 9825011117—for residents to report crocodile sightings within the city. When a call was received, the nearest staff would quickly respond to the location, aiming to manage the situation without escalating conflict with the crocodile.

“Crocodiles are difficult to handle, as they cannot be tranquilized or subdued with traditional methods,” Mr. Vyas explained.

“Instead, the Forest Department uses ropes, nets, and other equipment to capture them. The most challenging aspect of capturing a crocodile is managing its powerful jaws. If the crocodile’s mouth is open and it grabs something, it becomes extremely difficult to control and increases the risk of injury to humans. Therefore, the first step is to cover and secure the crocodile’s jaws, then close its eyes to minimize shock. Once the animal is calm, it is safely captured and transported in a cage.”

After capture, crocodiles are taken to rescue centers where they undergo a thorough physical examination to ensure they are uninjured and healthy. If they pass the health assessment, they are then released back into their natural habitat, ensuring their return to a safe and familiar environment.

EFFORTS & CHALLENGES

Regarding efforts and challenges, Mr. Vyas stated, “As a forest officer, I cannot determine how far the river water has reached. We respond as we receive information. Although we conducted over 45 rescues in the first three days, we received only 5 rescue calls in the subsequent three days. This suggests that we have likely rescued nearly everyone who was initially affected.” However, the flood has not entirely ended, and there is still some water near the riverbank. If there are still people left and we receive a call, forest officials will continue to respond.

TERRITORIAL NATURE OF CROCODILES

Crocodile is a territorial animal. Many crocodiles cannot live at one place, otherwise the bigger crocodile will chase away the smaller one after a fight. Hence, each crocodile has to be released at a different place. There are many patches in the river where they reside. They live there and are released there. The river is deep at some places and shallow at other places. Hence, there are changes in it every year and the territory of crocodiles also keeps on changing. And these crocodiles distribute themselves among themselves. The team decides which crocodile should be released in which patch.

“Wild animals have different natures. It can attack suddenly or can also take time. And it can also happen that it is near you and no one attacks. Crocodile is exactly like this. By looking at it no one can tell how it will behave,” Mr Vyas said.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IAS Vikas Sheel
Meet IAS Vikas Sheel: Newly Appointed Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Relieved Early from ADB Post
CISF
Leadership Reshuffle Expected in CAPFs as ITBP, CISF Chiefs Retire; New DG Appointments Likely Soon
Two crossed national flags on wooden table
India-US Trade Deal Talks Make Progress; Both Sides Aim to Fast-Track Agreement and Ease Tariff Tensions
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
India Set to Attract ₹80 Lakh Crore Investment, Create 1.5 Crore Jobs in Maritime Sector: Minister Sonowal
UP Government Uttar Pradesh Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Govt Transfers 16 IAS Officers in Major Reshuffle; Lucknow Commissioner Replaced, B Chandrakala Gets Forest Dept
Varchasva Rajesh Kumar Pandey
‘Varchasva’ by Former IPS Officer Rajesh Kumar Pandey Wins Rajbhasha Puruskar 2024
DoPT-resized
Nagaland cadre IAS Officer Ajit Kumar Ranjan Appointed Deputy Secretary in DoPT, Will Serve at Centre Until 2028
RINL
Leadership Update: Rakesh Nandan Sahay Appointed as Director (Personnel) at RINL, Selected by PESB from Among 10 Candidates
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
K M Abharna IFS Eco Warrior Awards 2025
Meet K. M. Abharna, the IFS Officer Behind Avni’s Case and Vidya Balan’s Sherni Role
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ishwarlal Gurjar UPSC
10th Grade Failure to Indian Police Service: Ishwarlal Gurjar’s UPSC Success Path
Read the inspiring journey of Ishwarlal Gurjar from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming an IPS officer....
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
Social Media
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
Tamil Nadu Gaur Rescue
Tiruchirappalli Forest Officials Risk Lives to Rescue Juvenile Gaur; Video Shared by IAS Officer Goes Viral
Trichy forest and fire teams risk lives to rescue a juvenile Indian gaur; IAS officer Supriya Sahu shares...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IAS Vikas Sheel
Meet IAS Vikas Sheel: Newly Appointed Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Relieved Early from ADB Post
CISF
Leadership Reshuffle Expected in CAPFs as ITBP, CISF Chiefs Retire; New DG Appointments Likely Soon
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
K M Abharna IFS Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT