CONSERVATION OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED – GHARIAL (Gavialis gangeticus)
While the gharial, or fish-eating crocodile, used to range widely in South Asia’s river systems, it is now feared to be headed for extinction. Its habitat is restricted to a few small areas in India and Nepal, with perhaps only 200 specimens now living in the wild. The main breeding population in India, in the Chambal River, was recently dealt a major blow with as many as 90 individuals dying from undetermined causes. In 2009, iREBEL was able to verify a previously undocumented population of gharials along an almost 500-km stretch of the Ganges River in the West Bengal districts of Hooghly, Burdwan and Mrushidabad.
In assistance from Hooghly Zilla parishad, Innovative India Tours Pvt. Ltd , West Bengal Biodiversity Board and SEARCH, iREBEL has successfully completed a survey in the River Ganges in search of this elusive animal.
Present status:
Based on the findings, we were awarded funding for a two-year project, beginning in early 2010, to:
- Ascertain the status and number of gharials.
- Identify actual and potential habitat areas, particularly breeding grounds.
- Conduct mass awareness campaigning among local villagers and fishermen regarding the gharials’ importance.
- Stop fishing practices that harm gharials and their habitat.
- Provide alternative income sources for fishermen and others that make their living from the river.
The project’s ultimate goal is to create a gharial protection zone that is supported and maintained by local people, with some continued assistance from outside sources. Several Several anecdotal reports of the Gharial sightings has been receded which specifically points out to the fact that the whole stretch of the Hooghly river is presently supporting a meagre population of this elusive animal. This calls for immediate action from every possible authorities, if we intend to save the declining population.
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SECOND PHASE REPORT .................. Click here
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