Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus)

Context

Madhya Pradesh released 10 gharials, a critically endangered species, into the Chambal river at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena. MP’s decades-long conservation efforts have earned it the title of a “gharial state,” hosting over 80 per cent of India’s gharials.

What are Gharials?

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) are a species of long-snouted, fish-eating crocodilians.
- Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and more.
They are known for their distinctive bulbous snouts, which resemble an inverted pot, a feature particularly seen in adult males.
Size: Males grow between 3-6 meters, and females range from 2.6-4.5 meters.
Diet: Gharials are primarily fish eaters. Their slender, sharp teeth help trap fish, which forms the bulk of their diet.
Breeding: Gharials mate from November to January, and females lay eggs on sandbanks or islands from March to May. After hatching, females care for their young for a few days.
Ecological Importance: Gharials are crucial for the river ecosystem, particularly in cleaning up dead fish and other carrion.
Habitat:
- India (Chambal, Girwa, and Son Rivers)
- Nepal (Narayani River)
Conservation Status:
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List:Critically endangered
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1

Chambal Sanctuary:

The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, spanning across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, is critical to gharial conservation.
It protects a 435-km stretch of one of India’s cleanest rivers and is home to more than 2,450 gharials.