Safe rescue of crocodile, found new shelter in jungle safari

Raipur : The Forest Department has done another commendable work in the direction of wildlife conservation and reducing human-wildlife conflict in Chhattisgarh. After successful rescue of a huge crocodile trapped in the pond in village Hardi of Balodabazar district, it was safely given a new shelter in Jungle Safari, Nava Raipur.
It was accomplished under the guidance of Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap and the leadership of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Arun Kumar Pandey. The villagers of village Hardi were collectively fishing in the pond. During this time a crocodile got trapped in his net. In such a situation, there could have been a possibility of panic or some accident, but the villagers showed wisdom and immediately informed the forest department.
As soon as the information was received, the Forest Department team reached the spot on the instructions of Divisional Forest Officer Dhammasheel Ganveer. Field assistant Gitesh Banjare and the team, with the help of the villagers, carefully took the crocodile out of the net. After the rescue, his health was checked by veterinarians. On the advice of experts, he was released safely in Jungle Safari, Nava Raipur, where a favorable environment is available for him.

Vigilance of villagers became an example

The people of village Hardi had earlier also taken responsibility during the elephant rescue in October 2025. This time also he fully cooperated with the forest department by showing awareness towards wildlife conservation.
Forest Department employees Nehru Nishad, Bhagi Yadav, Peelu Nishad, Rakesh Dhruv and members of Hardi Forest Management Committee together made this campaign successful.

Positive impact of government schemes

It is the result of the state government’s wildlife conservation schemes and awareness campaigns that villagers are now becoming partners in the protection of wildlife by providing immediate information. This is not only saving the lives of wildlife, but also reducing the incidents of human-wildlife conflict. The Forest Department has said that conservation of wildlife is a collective responsibility and such efforts will continue as per the instructions of the government.
This success story shows that when governance, administration and villagers work together, the objective of wildlife conservation is effectively achieved.