SIX-FOOT GHARIAL CAUGHT

SIX-FOOT GHARIAL CAUGHT

1-NOV-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------In an unusual incident along the banks of the Ganges, local fishermen in the Bhojpur district of Bihar experienced a moment of great astonishment when a nearly six-foot-long gharial (crocodile) became entangled in their fishing net.

The incident took place at the Kapur Diyara Ganga Ghat located within the Barhara police station jurisdiction. According to local reports, a fisherman named Atwari Bind had cast his net into the river to catch fish. However, upon feeling heavy resistance and unusual movement in the water, the locals gathered to pull the net ashore, expecting a large catch of fish. Instead, they were stunned to discover a live, six-foot gharial trapped inside.

A large crowd quickly gathered at the ghat to catch a glimpse of the reptile. Recognizing the potential danger and the protected status of the animal, local representatives immediately informed the Barhara police station and the Bhojpur Forest Department.

Promptly responding to the alert, a rescue team from the Forest Department arrived at the scene. Working carefully and efficiently, the wildlife experts managed to safely secure the gharial without causing any harm to the animal or the bystanders.

Forest officials noted that gharials often stray from their primary conservation habitats—such as the Gandak River—into the main stream of the Ganges during high water levels or flooding. Following a successful rescue operation, the reptile was safely released back into the deep waters of the Ganges River, ensuring its safety and the preservation of local aquatic wildlife.