For the first time in its 600-year history, the pond next to the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) in Bagerhat has no crocodile. The shrine's caretakers (khadems), local shopkeepers and residents are angry at the loss of a tradition dating back to Khan Jahan Ali's time. They are demanding the crocodile's return, with fencing if necessary, and say they will launch a movement to bring crocodiles back to the pond if needed.

It is said that before his death in 1459, Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali himself released two crocodiles, named Kala Pahar and Dhala Pahar, into the pond. Among their descendants the male crocodile was called "Kala Pahar" and the female "Dhala Pahar". The last of their descendants died in February 2015.

Earlier, in 2005, several crocodiles were brought from India and released into the pond, but some of them died. Of the last two, one died in October 2023, leaving a single crocodile. After a child named Fatema Akter was killed in an attack by that crocodile, it was taken to the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Khulna on Wednesday (3 June).

Bina Akter, who has a shop beside the shrine's ghat, said: "I have seen crocodiles in the pond since I was born. The crocodiles lay eggs at our ghat. They come up on the bank and eat goats, ducks and chickens, and have bitten people at various times. But I have never seen in history that a crocodile would be taken away from the pond because someone died in an attack."

"There have been crocodiles in this pond for 600 years," she added. "Now there is no crocodile. We just cannot accept it. When people die in tiger attacks in the Sundarbans, the tigers are not caught and removed. So why was this crocodile taken away?"

Asma Akter, a visitor from Barishal, said: "I have seen the crocodile here before. Today I came and heard it has been taken away. It attacked and killed a child, which is sad. I want the crocodile brought back while ensuring people's safety. It is the heritage of this shrine and pond."

Local young man Mehedi Hasan Topu, who became known on social media for his bond with the crocodile, said: "I had a friendly relationship with the crocodile. With my own hands I handed Dhalapahar over to the forest department. It hurts a lot; it is heartbreaking for me. The crocodile is Khan Jahan Ali's heritage, and for the first time in 600 years the pond is empty. My appeal to the government is to bring back the pond's heritage, with fencing if necessary."

Shrine khadem Jamal Hossain said: "Different shrines have different traditions, and the crocodile in the pond is the tradition of our Khan Jahan Ali. Because of an accident the crocodile has been taken from our shrine. We feel very bad that the pond is empty and demand that a crocodile be brought back. If necessary, we will put grilles on the ghat for safety."

Fakir Tarikul Islam, chief khadem of the shrine, said: "A few days ago a crocodile attacked and killed a child, and we are pained by this. The crocodile is a ferocious animal. Khan Jahan Ali released two crocodiles into the pond to protect its water, and there have been crocodiles here for 600 years. Our forefathers looked after them. This history and heritage belong to the people of Bagerhat. People of all faiths come to see the crocodile; during Eid about 3,000-4,000 people come every day. But we do not at all approve of the way the crocodile was taken away over one unwanted incident. We will take the necessary measures to ensure people's safety, and we want the government and administration to return the crocodile without delay."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.