Gangaram is a remote village in
Bijinapalle Mandal of
Nagarkurnool district
Nagarkurnool district is a district in the southern region of the Indian state of Telangana. The town of Nagarkurnool is the district headquarters. It was part of the Mahbubnagar district prior to re-organisation of districts in the state. The d ...
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Telangana
Telangana is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated in the Southern India, south-central part of the Indian subcontinent on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, ele ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
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References
Census of India Official Website
Villages in Nagarkurnool district
{{Telangana-geo-stub
Gangaram, a 130-year-old crocodile, lived in a community pond in Bawa Mohtara village, Bemetara district, Chhattisgarh, India. Despite being a wild animal, Gangaram was deeply revered by the villagers, who considered him a protector and a friend.
Unique Bond with the Villagers
Gangaram never harmed anyone, even when villagers, including children, swam close to him in the pond. The villagers would share the pond with Gangaram, using it for fetching water and Gangaram would feed on the fish present in the pond. The villagers would also feed Gangaram rice and dal, and he would eat it from their hands.
Funeral and Tributes
When Gangaram passed away on January 8, 2019, the villagers mourned his death deeply. Over 500 people attended his funeral procession, which was led by the village head, Mohan Sahu. The villagers buried Gangaram with full respect and dignity, decorating the truck carrying his body with flowers and garlands. People from surrounding villages also joined the funeral procession to pay their last respects.
Legacy
Gangaram’s story highlights the importance of human-animal coexistence. The villagers’ affection and respect for Gangaram set an example of living harmoniously with wild animals. The villagers have also planned to construct a temple in memory of Gangaram, further solidifying their bond with the crocodile.
Key Facts
Age: Approximately 130 years old
Length: 3.4 meters (11.2 feet)
Residence: Community pond in Bawa Mohtara village, Bemetara district, Chhattisgarh, India
Behavior: Never harmed anyone, even when swum upon by villagers, including children
Diet: Fed on fish in the pond and occasionally received rice and dal from villagers