Kendrapara: A girl, who had displayed exemplary bravery by saving her younger cousin sister from the claws of a crocodile, has been selected for the prestigious Jeevan Raksha Padak, a civilian lifesaving award for bravery.

The girl, Mamata Dalei, will receive the award at a special function in New Delhi on the Independence Day this year.

Mamata saved her sister, Asanti Dalei, from crocodile attack on April 6 last year at Bankuala village under Dangamala gram panchayat of Rajnagar tehsil of Kendrapara district.

"It's a matter of pride that the girl from the district has been nominated for the Jeevan Raksha Padak. She will receive the award in a special function in New Delhi on the Independence Day. A cheque of Rs 1 lakh issued by the Union ministry of home affairs was handed over to the brave girl here by the district administration. Earlier, it had recommended the tiny rescuer's act of bravery for the national bravery award and the Jeevan Raksha Padak," said Kendrapara collector Reghu G.

Mamata, whom chief minister Naveen Patnaik had felicitated, became the proud recipient of the coveted national bravery award, instituted by Indian Council for Child Welfare, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 23.

Residents of a far-flung village of the district are elated with the local girl being nominated for the prestigious award.

"The water bodies here are infested with the furious salt-water crocodiles. Crocodiles' attack on humans has becoming a recurring feature in the locality. The little girl's brave act has instilled in us the spirit to counter the croc attacks," said Dangmal villager Nrusingha Sahu.

Mamata saved Asanti from the crocodile, which had sneaked into the village pond. Seeing her sister in danger, Mamata reacted on the spur of moment and picked up a bamboo stick. She had then started dealing blow on the animal's head. The reptile, which had clung onto Asanti, was jolted by the sudden attack and left the girl to slip into the water. Both the girls were taking bath in the village pond when the crocodile attacked the survivor.

The crocodile, which had strayed into the village pond, was later captured by wildlife employees of the Bhitarkanika National Park.

The forest staff members later released the crocodile in a water body of the mangrove-infested forest.