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Madhya Pradesh Strengthens Gharial Conservation with New Release in Chambal

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(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 14)

Topic: GS3 – Environment – Conservation

Context

  • Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released 10 gharials into the Chambal River to boost conservation efforts for the critically endangered species.

Analysis of the news:

About Gharial It Is A Freshwater Crocodile Belonging To The Crocodylia Order And Crocodylidae Family

About Gharial

  • It is a freshwater crocodile belonging to the Crocodylia Order and Crocodylidae Family.

  • Scientific Name: Gavialis gangeticus

  • Distribution:

    • Historically, the gharial’s range spanned the rivers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.

    • Today, only fragmented populations remainin Nepan and northern India.

    • Their major population occurs in three tributaries of the Ganga River: the Chambal and Girwa Rivers in India and the Rapti-Naryani River in Nepal.

    • The Gharial reserves of India are located in three States: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Significance of Gharials

  • Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) are critically endangered, fish-eating crocodilians crucial for maintaining river ecosystems by controlling fish populations and cleaning up carrion.

  • Their presence indicates a healthy riverine habitat.

Threats to Gharials

Historically, overhunting for skins and traditional medicine reduced their numbers. Modern threats include:

  • Habitat destruction due to dams, irrigation canals, and sand mining.

  • Pollution degrading water quality.

  • Fishing nets, which entangle and kill gharials.

Conservation Initiatives

Madhya Pradesh, home to over 80% of India’s gharials, has led conservation efforts through:

  • Captive breeding and reintroduction to boost population.

  • Strict river protection measures to curb sand mining and pollution.

  • Community engagement to raise awareness and reduce threats.

Role of Chambal Sanctuary

  • Spanning three states, the National Chambal Sanctuary is a vital stronghold for gharials, ensuring their survival. It has also helped restore populations in Punjab’s Sutlej and Beas Rivers.

Conclusion

  • Madhya Pradesh’s sustained conservation efforts have led to a gharial resurgence.

  • Continued habitat protection, pollution control, and scientific monitoring are essential to ensuring the species’ long-term survival.

Features and Conservation status

  • Features:

    • The gharial is one of the largest of all crocodilian species, with males reaching 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters) in length. Females typically grow to lengths of 11.5 to 15 feet (3.5 to 4.5 meters).

    • They have thick skin covered with smooth epidermal scales that do not overlap.

    • The snout of the gharial is uniquely the thinnest and most elongated among all the crocodilians.

    • In addition, the adult males sport a large bulb at the tip of their snout, called the ‘ghara’.

    • The teeth are more numerous than any other crocodylian species.

    • It is also the most aquatic of all crocodilians, for it never moves far from the water.

    • Because of their weak leg muscles, gharials are poorly equipped for locomotion on land.

  • Conservations Status: The global population of gharials has been reduced from 5000 in the 1940s to a few hundred individuals in the wild.

    • IUCN Red List: Critically endangered.

    • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

    • CITES: Appendix I

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of gharials in maintaining river ecosystems and examine the conservation challenges they face in India. What measures have been taken to protect them, particularly in Madhya Pradesh? (150 Words /10 marks)

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