ગુજરાતી
English
Reliance raised 1 thousand thick-skinned crocodiles, crocodile farming stopped, privatization happened
17 June is World Crocodile Day
Dilip Patel
Ahmedabad, June 17, 2025
Many crocodiles have entered the dams, rivers and drains in the Sasan Gir forest area. The Gujarat Forest Department is losing the opportunity to build a crocodile safari here. Kamleshwar Dam is the source of drinking water for 50 to 60 thousand wild animals. It is the lifeline of 1200 crocodiles. The government stopped giving them assistance and the forest department was forced to stop crocodile farming.
A plan to build a crocodile park on the Vishwamitri river in Vadodara was made in 2017. For which the government had allocated Rs 10 crore. At that time the Gujarat government had allocated Rs 10 crore. Rs 10 crore was given in 2017 for the center of Gir. 5 crore rupees were given. Now this fund has been stopped.
The crocodile breeding center running in Sasan since 1977 has been closed and 1 thousand crocodiles have started roaming in the forest. 1 thousand crocodiles have been released in Kamleshwar Dam.
Perhaps due to the presence of Kamleshwar Dam in the forest all over the country, crocodiles also get food. That is why the number of crocodiles is increasing naturally in such a large amount.
In the year 2016, crocodiles were counted in an area of 10 kilometers in 120 sub-zones of 13 zones, but the number of crocodiles was kept secret. A forest observation point has been created by building a watch tower at this place. Kamleshwar Mahadev temple has been closed.
The count was done in 2016.
Every year 5.50 lakh tourists come to Sasan to see lions. It is located in the middle of the forest, 13 kilometers from Sasan on the way to Gir Lion National Park.
The Kamleshwar Dam built on the Hiran River is known as a colony of crocodiles. 300 birds are seen here.
Known as the Hiran-1 irrigation scheme. The work of the dam on the Hiran River near Kamleshwar Ness in the Gir forest area started in the year 1955. It was completed in the year 1959.
The dam does not get water from any particular river. Water comes from rain in Varwangtho, Fakro, Vonkala of Ness and the dry Hiran area. Water coming from the hills reaches the dam. The 42.5 feet high dam has a very large circumference.
Crocodile sit on the hills formed by the silt of the dam. It is an important source of drinking water for wildlife.
The dam provides drinking water to the city of Talala and rural areas.
About the Hiran River
The Hiran River, an important water source in Gujarat, originates from the Gir Forest and flows beautifully in the Saurashtra region. It is one of the primary lifelines for the flora and fauna of the region, especially the wildlife in the Gir National Park. The river supports the local ecosystem, ensuring the survival of species such as the Asiatic lion, leopard and many bird species.
The Hiran River is also important for the agricultural communities living nearby, providing water for irrigation. Its picturesque banks make it a great place for bird watching and photography. A visit to the Kamleshwar Dam forges a close connection with this magnificent river and the natural beauty surrounding it.
About Kamleshwar Dam
The Kamleshwar Dam is a dam built on the Hiran River. It serves as an important reservoir, supporting agriculture, drinking water supply and wildlife nutrition in the region. Often referred to as the “lifeline of the Gir Forest”, this dam is vital in maintaining the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem.
There are many species of fish. It is a great place for picnics and family outings.
The ideal time to visit the Kamleshwar Dam is during the winter months from November to February.
The monsoon (June to September) transforms the landscape into a lush green paradise.
The area covered by the serene Hiran River is 518 sq km and its estimated length is about 40 km.
The surface area of the dam is 8 sq km. The dam is called the lifeline of Gir.
A giant crocodile entered the town of Talala from the Hiran River.
Irrigation
This canal provides water for agriculture to the villages of Talala, Ghunsia, Galiyavad, Pipalva, Borvav, Veerpur, Gundaran, Dhramanavva. Apart from this, the water of this canal also comes to the villages of Gunpar, Sonaria, Kajli etc. of Veraval taluka. In which crocodiles are often seen. Crocodile Conservation Center
Due to a significant decrease in the number of three species of crocodiles in India, a project was started in Gir in April 1975. Crocodile nests were found in the sand and eggs were collected from them and reared. When the babies grew to a reasonable size, they were released at a safe place.
At present, a total of 16 crocodile breeding centres are functioning in the country.
1,000 crocodiles at Reliance
Due to lack of space and funds at the Madras Crocodile Farm, about 1,000 crocodiles were sent to the zoo of Reliance Refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Madras Crocodile Farm
The Madras Crocodile Bank was started in 1976 on 8 acres in Mamallapuram to conserve three endangered species of crocodiles in India. Before Reliance, Madras Crocodile Farm has sent 1,500 crocodiles to zoos in the country. Since 1980, donations have been received from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Israel, Singapore, Czech Republic, Denmark and the Netherlands. On an experimental basis, 300 crocodiles have been sent to Green Park. The keeper of the crocodile farm was Nikhil Whitaker. Since 1994, the number of crocodiles has been reduced.
To get the eggs, they had to break them. From 1976 to 1990, crocodiles were brought to this farm from many states of the country. Philippines Crocodile farming is done in the Philippines. They commercially produce and trade crocodile meat, eggs and crocodile skin. Despite being an animal from the time of dinosaurs, its characteristics have changed slightly during this long evolution. The oldest animal on earth, the crocodile, is 210 million years old. It can live both on land and in water. Some types of sensors are attached to the tail. With which it can immediately identify whether the object is living or non-living. When it enters the water, there is a cover in front of the eye, so that debris does not enter the eye. Due to which it can see 40 to 50 percent blurred in water. Crocodiles are more social animals than humans. When a female crocodile gives birth to more children, then other female crocodiles adopt and raise the cubs. Most incidents of attacks on humans occur in the months of March to June, because in these months, baby crocodiles are born. Crocodiles become aggressive to protect themselves. There is no method of contraception for crocodiles. Many crocodiles can die in this.
During the day they stay on land outside the water, in the afternoon in a cool place around the water. At night they stay in the water.
The body of a crocodile is 3 to 5 meters long. There is a hard exoskeleton covered with horny epidermal scales on the surface of the body.
The teeth of a crocodile keep falling and are replaced by new teeth. The snout is used to attack the enemy and catch food.
While swimming, the throat hole remains closed due to a valve, so that water does not enter the esophagus. Crocodiles do not have external ears, while the ear hole opens on the surface of the skin. The ear holes are covered with a skin cover. Despite being a reptile, the heart of a crocodile is tetrahedral.
Crocodile is an oviparous animal and its female lays eggs at the end of the summer season and the beginning of the rainy season. The eggs are laid in a nest made of litter and vegetation. The nest is then buried in the soil. The mother guards the nest until the babies are born. When the newborn baby’s voice is heard, she immediately takes the baby out of the nest. Some females carry their babies in their mouths and move them to another place. If the baby screams in fear, all the nearby crocodiles rush to help the baby.
Saltwater, Nile, Orinoco, American, Gharial, Morelotus, Crocodile, Australian and New Guinea crocodiles are found here. (Google translation from Gujarati)
