Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Releases 10 Gharials in River Chambal to Boost Population

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Releases 10 Gharials in River Chambal to Boost Population

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has released 10 gharials into the River Chambal as part of efforts to strengthen the species' population. This initiative highlights the state's leadership in gharial conservation, as Madhya Pradesh is home to over 80% of India’s gharial population.

About Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus): Gharials are long-snouted crocodiles native to the Indian subcontinent. The name "gharial" is derived from the word "ghara" (pot), referring to the bulbous growth on the snouts of mature males.

• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I
• Habitat: Freshwater rivers with sandy banks.
• Historical Range: Previously found in the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi-Brahmani-Baitrani river systems across India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
• Current Range: Primarily in the Chambal, Girwa (India), and Rapti-Naryani (Nepal) rivers, with smaller populations in the Ken, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Ghaghara, and Bhagirathi-Hoogly rivers.

Threats:

• Destruction of habitat due to agricultural and industrial expansion, along with plastic pollution.
• Entanglement and drowning in fishing gear.
• Egg predation, illegal poaching for skin and meat, and the use of body parts in traditional medicine.

Conservation Efforts:

• Captive Breeding & Reintroduction: Breeding centers such as the Deori Gharial Breeding Center (MP) and Kukrail Rehabilitation Centre (Lucknow), with the Gandak River in Bihar serving as a successful breeding site for gharials.
• National Chambal Sanctuary: The largest gharial habitat in India.
• Project Crocodile: Launched in 1975 to conserve crocodilian species.

Other Crocodilian Species in India:

• Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus):

  • IUCN Status: Least Concern
  • Habitat: Sundarbans, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha), and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

• Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris):

• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Habitat: Rivers, lakes, and marshes across 15 states in India, with significant populations in the middle Ganga, Chambal River, and Gujarat.

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