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Gharials and Their Importance in Conservation
Context:
On February 17, 2024, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released 10 gharials—nine males and one female—into the Chambal River at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena.
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- The Chambal River is one of India’s cleanest rivers and a critical habitat for the gharials, making it the perfect location for their release.
- The release is especially significant because Madhya Pradesh, with over 80% of India’s gharial population, plays a crucial role in the recovery of the species.
- According to the 2024 census, the National Chambal Sanctuary alone is home to 2,456 gharials, a success story of decades-long conservation efforts.
The Role of the Chambal Sanctuary
- The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary is one of the primary refuges for gharials, spanning three states—Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
- The sanctuary protects a 435-km stretch of one of India’s cleanest rivers.
- Apart from gharials, the sanctuary hosts over 290 bird species, including rare ones like the Indian Skimmer, which constitutes 80% of the national population.
- Gharials from the Chambal Sanctuary have been successfully reintroduced into other rivers.
- For example, gharials from Chambal were released in the Sutlej River (2018) and Beas River (2020), and efforts were made to reintroduce them to the rivers of Punjab where they had disappeared in the 1960s-70s.
What are Gharials?
- Scientific Name: Gavialis gangeticus
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
- Long-snouted, fish-eating crocodilians, native to the rivers of the Indian subcontinent.
- The name “gharial” is derived from the Hindi word “ghara,” meaning pot, referring to this unique feature, which helps them trap fish.
- These reptiles can grow quite large, with males reaching lengths of 3-6 meters and females measuring 2.6–4.5 meters.
- In Indian mythology, gharials are sacred, often depicted as the divine mount of the goddess Ganga.
- They help maintain the health of river ecosystems by cleaning up carrion, thus contributing to the balance of the environment by scavenging dead fish and other organic material.
Threats Faced by Gharials
- Historical threats: Overhunting for skins, eggs, and trophies, as well as their use in traditional medicine, caused significant population declines in the past.
- Modern threats: Habitat destruction due to dam construction, irrigation canals, river course changes, embankments, sand mining, and pollution, particularly from fishing activities. One of the most severe contemporary threats is the use of gill nets, which inadvertently catch gharials and other aquatic species, even within protected areas.
Conservation Efforts in Madhya Pradesh and Beyond
- Captive Breeding and Release Programs: Between 1975 and 1982, India established 16 captive breeding and release centers and five gharial sanctuaries to help replenish gharial populations.
- Key Sanctuaries: The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary (NCS) in Madhya Pradesh remains one of the primary refuges for gharials, along with Katerniaghat Sanctuary, Chitwan National Park, Son River Sanctuary, and Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary.
- Population Monitoring and Threat Management: Wildlife officials actively monitor gharial populations, manage threats like sand mining, and work with local communities on habitat preservation and raising awareness.
- Environmental Protection: The focus on river protection, sandbank restoration, and better environmental management is critical for ensuring the survival of gharials.
