Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently released 10 gharials into the Chambal River at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena. This sanctuary is home to India’s largest gharial population, with a 2024 census recording 2,456 individuals.
What is a Gharial?
🔹 Scientific Name: Gavialis gangeticus
🔹 Unique Feature: Long, narrow snout with a bulbous tip in males (resembles an inverted pot, or ‘ghara’ in Hindi).
🔹 Diet: Primarily fish-eating.
🔹 Sexual Dimorphism: Only crocodilian species where males & females look different.
🔹 Ecological Role: Helps maintain river health by cleaning up carrion.
Habitats
- Historically, gharials were found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Today, they only survive in India & Nepal, mainly in:
- Chambal River (UP, MP, Rajasthan)
- Girwa River (UP)
- Son River (MP)
- Ramganga River (Uttarakhand)
- Gandak River (Bihar)
- Mahanadi River (Odisha)
Protected Areas for Gharial Conservation
- National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary (5,400 sq. km, across UP, MP & Rajasthan).
- Son Gharial Sanctuary (Sidhi, MP) – Established under Project Crocodile (1981) for gharial conservation.
Conservation Status & Threats
- Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Threats include habitat loss, river pollution, illegal sand mining, and dams reducing water flow.
(Sources: Indian Express & WWF)
