Gharial Conservation in India

 

1. In February 2025, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister took a major step in gharial conservation by releasing 10 gharials into the Chambal River at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena.
    
2. This move strengthens the state's role as India’s leading gharial conservation hub, as it hosts over 80% of the country’s gharial population.
    

About Gharials
 

Feature	Description
Scientific Classification & Mythological Significance	Scientific Name: Gavialis gangeticus Type: Asian crocodilian species Sacred Symbolism: In Hindu mythology, gharials are considered the divine mount of Goddess Ganga, reinforcing their cultural and ecological importance.
Physical Features	Distinctive Snout: Long, slender snout lined with sharp, interlocking teeth, perfectly adapted for catching fish. Name Origin: The Hindi word "ghara" (pot) refers to the bulbous snout tip of adult males, which resembles an inverted pot. Size: Males: 3-6 meters Females: 2.6–4.5 meters Unique Adaptations: Unlike other crocodilians, gharial snouts contain sensory cells that detect vibrations in the water, helping them locate prey. They do not stalk or ambush prey like other crocodiles but rely on swift movements to catch fish.
Habitat and Distribution	Preferred Habitat: Gharials thrive in freshwater river systems with sandy banks, sandbars, and islands, which serve as basking and nesting sites. Historical & Current Distribution Historical Range: Spread across the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi river systems in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Current Range: India: Chambal, Girwa, Ken, Yamuna, Son, Gandak, Mahanadi, Brahmaputra, and Bhagirathi-Hooghly rivers. Nepal: Rapti-Naryani river system. Extinct or nearly extinct in Myanmar, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Ecological Importance	Gharials help maintain healthy river ecosystems by controlling fish populations and scavenging carrion. Their presence is an indicator of clean and well-balanced freshwater habitats.

 

Major Threats to Gharials
 

1. Historical Exploitation: Overhunting for skin, trophies, eggs, and traditional medicine drastically reduced their numbers.
2. Habitat Destruction

1. Dams, embankments, and irrigation canals disrupt natural river flow and nesting sites.
2. Siltation and river course changes reduce available habitats.
3. Sand mining destroys critical nesting areas.

3. Human-Induced Threats

1. Overfishing reduces food supply.
2. Gharials often get trapped in fishing nets (gillnets), leading to accidental deaths, even in protected areas.
3. Pollution from industrial waste and plastic degrades river quality.
    

Gharial Conservation Efforts in India
 

1. Captive Breeding & Reintroduction

1. Project Crocodile (1975) initiated gharial breeding and reintroduction.
2. Key Breeding Centers:
   • Deori Gharial Breeding Center (Madhya Pradesh)
   • Kukrail Rehabilitation Centre (Lucknow)
3. Process: Hatchlings are raised in captivity and released into natural habitats.
4. Success Story: The Gandak River in Bihar has become a major breeding site for gharials.

2. Protected Areas for Gharials: Gharials primarily survive in five key sanctuaries:
    

Sanctuary	Location	River
National Chambal Sanctuary	MP, UP, Rajasthan	Chambal River
Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	Girwa River
Chitwan National Park	Nepal	Rapti River
Son River Sanctuary	Madhya Pradesh	Son River
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary	Odisha	Mahanadi River

3. Habitat Protection Measures

1. Regulating sand mining and fishing to prevent habitat destruction.
2. Strict pollution control in riverine ecosystems.
3. Community engagement programs to raise awareness.
    

About National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary
 

1. Located on the Chambal River, covering 435 km across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
2. One of India’s cleanest river stretches, crucial for gharial survival.
3. Established to protect gharials, Gangetic dolphins, and red-crowned roof turtles.

4. Major Wildlife in the Sanctuary

1. Gharials – Largest population in India.
2. Indian Skimmers – 80% of India's population found here.
3. Other Species:
   • Red-crowned roof turtle (endangered)
   • Ganges river dolphin (endangered)
   • Mugger crocodile, smooth-coated otter, striped hyena, and Indian wolf
      

Chambal River: The Lifeline of Gharials
 

1. General Features

1. Tributary of the Yamuna River, part of the Gangetic drainage system.
2. One of India’s least polluted rivers, making it ideal for gharials.

2. Course:

1. Originates in the Vindhya Range, south of Mhow (MP).
2. Flows north into Rajasthan, passing Kota.
3. Forms the MP-Rajasthan border, then turns east to join the Yamuna in UP.

3. Major Tributaries:

1. Left bank: Banas, Mej rivers.
2. Right bank: Parbati, Kali Sindh, Shipra rivers.

4. Major Dams on Chambal: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam
5. Erosion and Riverbank Degradation: Chambal’s lower course has a 16-km-wide belt of badland gullies, caused by accelerated soil erosion.
    

 

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