Maggar

I along with my family visited Madhav National Park, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, India in summer of 2013. This park represents the Northern Tropical dry deciduous mixed forest type, as well as dry thorn forest. It has a typical biodiversity system of Lakes as well as forest. The area of the park is about 354 sq km. It has two large lakes - 'Sakhya Lake' and 'Madhav Sagar'. On the shores of Sakhya Sagar lake which edges the forests, is a Boat Club, from where the park visitors can see a number of migratory birds especially in winter, when a large number of migratory waterfowls visit the area. On the highest point deep inside the park, at height of about 1600 feet stands a Majestic George Castle, which was built by Jivaji Rao Scindia of the Gwalior royal family for an overnight halt for tiger shooting by the British King George V, when he was to pass that way during his visit to India in 1911. However, ironically King George hunted a Tiger on the way and thus never stayed at this castle.

Sakhya Sagar Lake is known for its large number of huge Marsh Crocodiles which are also known as Indian, Indus, Persian crocodile or simply Maggar. It is a large reptile. Mature Males can grow upto 4-5 mts (13 to 16 feet) but a large male in Sakhya Sagar has been measured to be 5.2 mts (17 feet) long. They can grow as heavy as 450 kg.

This ugly looking Maggar was resting on the far end on the shore of Sakhya Sagar lake and we drove about 4 kms to go there. I clicked some pictures and as soon as it sensed our presence, it rushed into the water.

• Date

  27-09-2023