Gujarat: Cosier basking spots now for Vishwamitri’s crocodiles

VADODARA: Every winter, the cold-blooded animals face a huge challenge to find that perfect secluded spot amid the expanding city to bask under the sun and regain their energy. Though thriving in numbers, crocodiles in the Vishwamitri river were experiencing this unusual problem over the past few years.

However, this seasonal hassle may be a thing of the past after a group of animal lovers took it upon themselves to create a perfect basking haven for these reptiles.
“We have started making basking spots for the crocodiles along the river. Vishwamitri is a narrow river and gets flooded almost every monsoon. It leads to washing away of the soil on the river bank that becomes steeper, especially in the urban areas,” said Sanjay Soni, one of the activists.
“In winters, crocodiles in some areas find it tough to climb onto the riverbank. They are even unable to find the basking spots amid the garbage and thick vegetation. And if they enter into another crocodile’s territory, it may lead to infighting. So, we decided to prepare basking spots in some parts of the river,” Soni told TOI.
This group of activists has been working in the Sayajigunj area over the past few days to prepare proper basking spots for the crocodiles. “We have chosen four spots near Kala Ghoda bridge before we move to the area behind Kirti Mandir,” Soni added.
The group has also taken help from experts for this project. “They had consulted me for the basking spot initiative in Vishwamitri river. They are preparing some spots and let’s hope that the crocodiles choose these as the reptiles behave by their instincts,” said Dr. Ranjitsinh Devkar, assistant professor, zoology department, MS University.
Soni said that they have chosen the basking spots by studying the behavioural pattern of the crocodiles and their favourite corners in the river.
Devkar said, “The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has ruined the basking spots in some parts of the river by operating heavy machines and flattening the riverbank. It becomes difficult for the crocodiles to climb out of the river from these steep points.”
He added that basking is very important for the crocodiles as these are cold-blooded animals. “It needs to warm itself up to keep its digestive enzymes working and digest its food apart from maintaining its various metabolic processes, especially during the winters,” he said.