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

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.

1. 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.

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

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Major Tributaries:

1. Left bank: Banas, Mej rivers.
2. Right bank: Parbati, Kali Sindh, Shipra rivers.
3. Major Dams on Chambal: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam
4. Erosion and Riverbank Degradation: Chambal’s lower course has a 16-km-wide belt of badland gullies, caused by accelerated soil erosion.