Who Is Gangaram? Meet The Crocodile From Chattisgarh Whose Story Is Part Of NCERT Textbooks

For most people, crocodiles are creatures to be feared. But in Bawa Mohtara village in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district, one crocodile, Gangaram, was remembered not as a killer but as a beloved friend. Want to know about his love story with the villagers? Read on!

Who Is Gangaram? A Crocodile From Chhattisgarh

Known as Gangaram, the crocodile is said to have lived in the village pond for around 130 years. The locals say he never harmed anyone and peacefully shared the pond with children, who often swam nearby while their mothers washed clothes. His gentle nature earned him great affection, with residents treating him as a member of the community rather than a wild animal.

When Gangaram died of natural causes in 2019, the entire village came together to bid him an emotional farewell. More than 500 people attended his funeral as his body was carried on a flower-decked tractor. Many families did not cook that day as a mark of respect, and later, residents built a memorial near the pond in his honour. Bawa Mohtara even became known as the “Magarmachha-vala Gaon” (Crocodile Village) because of its remarkable bond with Gangaram.

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A Story That Is Remembered For Years

Gangaram’s story was so lovable and inspiring that it has now found a place in education. The tale already appears as a listening exercise in the NCERT Class 10 English workbook, Words and Expressions II, highlighting peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. Recent reports also state that the story is being further spotlighted in NCERT-related learning material as an example of compassion and conservation.

Bawa Mohtara is not the only place where humans and reptiles coexist peacefully. In Gujarat’s Charotar region, villagers share ponds with more than 160 mugger crocodiles, while in Maharashtra’s Shetpal, snakes are welcomed into homes, with dedicated spaces built for them to rest.

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The story also carries a larger conservation message. According to research published in Nature, around one in five reptile species worldwide faces the threat of extinction, making the preservation of these often-misunderstood animals increasingly important.

At a time when human-wildlife conflict frequently dominates headlines, Gangaram’s story serves as a unique reminder that trust, respect and coexistence can sometimes flourish in the most unexpected places.

What are your thoughts about Gangaram?

Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/Regan Dsouza