Gajoldoba, 22nd September: Five fishermen who risked their lives to rescue an elephant calf from the strong current of the Teesta River were felicitated in Gajoldoba in recognition of their bravery.
It is to be noted that, on Monday, the elephant calf was swept away by the strong current of the Teesta River. The five fishermen ventured into the turbulent river in a boat and rescued the calf.
The felicitation programme was organised by a Siliguri-based voluntary and environmental organisation in the presence of local residents at Area No. 12 of Gajoldoba. The five fishermen were presented with certificates and mementoes of honour. They became emotional while receiving the recognition.
Belakoba Range Ranger Samiran Raj, Apalchand Range Range Officer Nabankur Ghosh, social worker Manoj Verma, and environmental organisation members Dipjyoti Chakraborty, Achintya Gupta and Tarun Roy, among others, were present at the programme.
One of the rescuers, Ajay Das, said they received information that an elephant calf had been swept away through the Teesta gates and immediately set out in a boat. The calf was repeatedly going under the water due to the strong current. After searching for around four kilometres, they located the calf and reached it by boat. The five fishermen then rescued the calf and handed it over to the Forest Department.
Another fisherman, Biswanath Das, said the calf was repeatedly sinking into the water and resurfacing. After searching for a long time, they spotted it, lifted it into their arms and handed it over to the Forest Department.
Range Officer Nabankur Ghosh said the elephant calf survived because of the fishermen’s prompt action. Forest personnel later rescued the calf and reunited it with its mother. Both the mother and the calf are currently healthy and have returned to the forest.
Social worker Manoj Verma and environmental organisation member Dipjyoti Chakraborty said the fishermen’s efforts to rescue the elephant calf while risking their own lives were highly commendable. They said the felicitation was organised to encourage and recognise their bravery.
