Volume 25, Issue 75, January - June, 2024

Argument on translocation of marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) in Gujarat, India

Raju Vyas

Shashwat Apartment, 23 Anandnagar Society, BPC Road, Alkapuri, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT

Presenting arguments and raising questions on the recently large number of translocations of the mugger or marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) from a developed tourist complex known as the Statue of Unity (SOU) at the Narmada Dam site, Kevadia, Narmada, Gujarat, in the name of the safety measures of tourists. As per the authorities, a total of 194 muggers were captured within a two-year operation from 2019-21. 51 various-sized animals were translocated in two captive facilities, and 70 crocs were released back to nature away from the Narmada dam site. this is the first and largest translocation operation of Marsh Crocodiles captured from the wild in Indian history. This translocation operation practice of eliminating marsh crocodiles from their prime habitat to confined areas was discussed throughout the episode. This biased operation was unethical, did not meet any scientific criteria, and raised many unanswered questions. However, this is a matter of conservation and a deep concern of Hindu philosophy.

Keywords: Conflict, Conservation Issues, Elimination, Reptile, Rescues, River, Religion

Species, 2024, 25(75), e18s1653

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v25i75.e18s1653

Published: 24 April 2024