The story of 'Gangaram,' who exemplifies the unique friendship between a human and a crocodile in Bemetara, Chhattisgarh, has now been included in the NCERT curriculum. The story of this calm crocodile, who lived peacefully with villagers in the pond of Bawa Mohtara village for three decades, will teach children the lessons of coexistence and environmental protection.
The story of 'Gangaram', who set a unique example of coexistence between humans and crocodiles in Bawa Mohtara village of Bemetara district, Chhattisgarh, will now be taught to schoolchildren. NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) has included this rare relationship in its new educational curriculum. This calm crocodile, who lived alongside villagers and cattle in the village pond for over three decades without fear or attack, died in 2019. Now, Ganga Ram's story will teach children across the country new lessons about nature, wildlife conservation, and compassion for animals.
In Bawa Mohtara village in Bemetara district, a friendship between humans and crocodiles lasted for nearly three decades. The crocodile was named Ganga Ram. Ganga Ram would never attack even a child.
The villagers' unbreakable bond with Ganga Ram : - Indeed, the small village of Bawa Mohtara in Bemetara district has witnessed this remarkable bond for decades. Ganga Ram, who lived in the village's main pond, was no ordinary crocodile; he had become a respected member of the village. Villagers bathed in the same pond daily, drew drinking water, washed clothes and tractors, and brought their cattle to drink. Children would spend hours swimming around Ganga Ram in the pond, but Ganga Ram never tried to harm any villager or animal. The villagers had such unwavering faith in Ganga Ram, and Ganga Ram in humans, that people would even feed him with their own hands.
Ganga Ram, the crocodile, died in 2019. The villagers held a grand funeral procession for him. It is said that no food was cooked in many homes that day.
Why didn't Ganga Ram attack? :-
Crocodiles are generally considered extremely violent and aggressive, mistaking any movement in their territory for prey. However, according to wildlife experts and biologists, the primary reasons behind Ganga Ram's unique and calm behavior were adaptation and the regular availability of food. When a wild animal experiences the constant presence of humans from childhood and never feels threatened or insecure, its natural aggression gradually decreases. The villagers' consistent, timely feeding and never attacking or teasing him brought a lasting sense of security to Ganga Ram's behavior. This mutual respect and consistently peaceful environment transformed Ganga Ram from an aggressive predator into a calm creature.
After Ganga Ram's death in 2019, the villagers built a temple where he is worshipped.
The entire village mourned Ganga Ram's death, and a temple was built.
When Ganga Ram died a natural death in January 2019 at the age of approximately 130 (many reports suggest he was over 100), Baba Mohtara village was plunged into mourning. No stoves were lit that day, and over 500 villagers mourned his funeral procession. Ganga Ram was cremated with full rituals and religious honors. To perpetuate his memory, the villagers built a temple dedicated to Ganga Ram on the banks of the pond, where his statue has been installed. Even today, villagers worship at the temple daily and proudly recount Ganga Ram's story to visiting tourists.
Why was it included in the school curriculum? :-
The primary purpose of including Ganga Ram's story in school textbooks is to instill sensitivity towards wildlife and a sense of coexistence in the new generation. While conflicts between wildlife and humans are often reported, Baba Mohtara's example teaches that if we respect nature and its habitat, we can coexist without violence. The Forest Department and experts also caution that Ganga Ram's case is a rare and exceptional one, so maintaining a safe distance from wild animals under normal circumstances is wise.
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