Palus, Sangli | Correspondent
A shocking incident came to light on Sunday when nine crocodile hatchlings perished due to intense heat in a sugarcane field near Kala stream in Anugadewadi, Amanapur area of Palus taluka. While five hatchlings were safely rescued and released into their natural habitat by the Forest Department, outrage is growing among villagers, farmers, and wildlife enthusiasts over the department's failure to reach the spot for a full five hours despite being promptly informed.
How It Unfolded
According to reports, a crocodile had laid eggs and nested in a sugarcane farm adjacent to the Kala stream at Anugadewadi. On Sunday morning, women who had gone to the field for soybean weeding noticed a crocodile in the area. On closer inspection, several hatchlings were found dead. Farmers and wildlife activists immediately alerted the Forest Department.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, not a single senior Forest Department officer reached the site until 1:30 PM, villagers alleged. Only one forest labourer eventually turned up, drawing sharp public criticism over the department's response.
Cause of Death and Rescue
A preliminary Forest Department assessment indicated that the nine hatchlings died due to heatstroke caused by the scorching temperatures. The dead hatchlings were documented through a panchnama (official record) and buried. Five surviving hatchlings were carefully taken into custody and released into a nearby stream. The mother crocodile was also reported to be safe.
Wildlife experts noted that a crocodile nesting and hatching in a sugarcane field is an exceptionally rare occurrence, drawing significant attention from researchers.
'A Schedule I Animal — Still Ignored'
The crocodile is classified as a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, meaning it enjoys the highest level of legal protection. Locals are furious that even the death of hatchlings of such a protected species failed to prompt an urgent response from authorities.
"If tiger cubs had been found dead, the entire machinery would have rushed immediately. Does the death of crocodile hatchlings count for nothing?" — Angry villagers
Residents are now demanding a formal inquiry and action against the officials responsible for the delayed response.
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