Vadodara set to get croc park on Vishwamitri banks

According to city-based herpetologist Raju Vyas,this is the only city in the country which has a crocodile-infested river running through its heart.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Kumar said the project may cost up to Rs 5 crore and the site of the proposed park is right behind the majestic Laxmivilas Palace. “We realised it is the forest department which has an expertise in the subject and so we decided to involve them. Now,we have decided to send a joint proposal for the project and seek financial assistance from the Centre. We will soon write to the Ministry of Forest and Environment for permissions and guidance,” Kumar told The Indian Express.

Besides,the park will also keep those crocodiles rescued by activists.

“There have been frequent incidents of human-crocodile conflict and crocodiles entering into human habitats. There were reports of attacks on crocodiles by humans. Since it’s a scheduled animal,we are required to take care of these animals. A meeting was held with state forest and environment principal secretary S K Nanda,which was attended by senior elected leaders of the civic body and officials from the concerned departments. The core issue was to find a suitable place to develop the centre,” said Kumar.

Last month,BJP corporator Ashok Pawar took the initiative of cleaning up the banks of Vishwamitri. When the workers were cleaning up the ancient steps to the ghat and the Shiva temple,a huge sculpture of a crocodile surfaced. The sculpture is estimated to date back some 250 years.