Death of "Kalapaharh"

The long-living marsh crocodile, dubbed as Kalapaharh, was a subject of interest of people visiting the Khan Jahan Ali's mazar in Bagerhat. The crocodile lived in a big pond beside the mazar mosque. Those going to say prayers in the mosque used to spend some time seeing the big crocodile. Some of them used to throw food for the crocodile and watch the reaction of the limited number of aquatic species in the pond. One of the two old crocodiles was named as Kalapaharh may be on the basis of its colour. The "Kalapaharh" died in the last week of the month of February.

Marsh crocodiles are listed to be in extinction from Bangladesh. The crocodiles at Khan Jahan Ali's mazar pond were at one point of time said to be the last known remaining crocodiles of their kind in the country. At present only estuarine crocodiles are found in the wild in the Sunderbans forest area. During the last one decade zoologists succeeded to collect some crocodile youngs from that pond and near those up in zoos.

The Shat Gombud mosque and the mazar of Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat are part of our rich heritage. Many musullies go for saying prayers at the mosques. Musullies spend some time to observe the movement of fishes and the crocodiles in the mazar pond. It is said that the crocodile, called 'Kalapaharh, had a long life. The ultimate death of Kalapaharh has definitely shocked many. The heritage left by Khan Jahan Ali should be well maintained not only for the generations of people of Bangladesh but also for the people of the world at large.

The government may introduce another marsh crocodile at Khan Jahan Ali's mazar pond with a view to restoring the beauty and attraction of the pond not only to the people of the locality but also to visitors both local and foreign. Thanks to the initiatives taken by some zoologists over a decade ago to ensure survival of crocodile youngs that used to hatch from eggs laid by one of the crocodiles at the mazar pond that the local species continues to be there even though in captivity Devotees who used to throw poultry birds or big pieces of flesh for consumption by the crocodiles at the mazar pond with the hope of getting divine blessings for decades should be helped to nurture their age-old practices that shape the mental make-up and thoughts of the people of the area and of those from the rest of Bangladesh who visit the mazar.