Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh, rich in wildlife, is now a state of crocodile along with tiger state, cheetah state and leopard state. This is an ideal habitat for vultures. The number of crocodiles in the country is 3044 and out of which Madhya Pradesh has 2456. Thus, Madhya Pradesh is home to more than 80 percent of crocodiles in the country. Dolphins also live here. The conservation work of crocodiles was done with tireless efforts in Madhya Pradesh. Their natural habitat was protected and illegal hunting was banned. Also, unscientific fishing practices were stopped.
435 km area declared as Chambal Gharial Sanctuary
435 km area of Chambal river has been declared as Chambal Crocodile Sanctuary. Chambal river flows on the border of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Deori Eco Center is the reason for the increase of crocodiles in the river. Alligator eggs are brought to this center and after they hatch, they are reared. When the children are 3 years old, they are released into the river. Every year 200 crocodiles are released into the river under a “grow-and-release” programme. Living in clean rivers and keeping the rivers clean is the specialty of crocodiles. For this reason it is demanded from many states. The crocodiles of Chambal river are enhancing the pride of the rivers of the state and the country. Aquatic creatures like crocodiles strengthen the eco system of rivers.
The population of crocodiles in the country declined by more than 80 percent between the years 1950 and 1960. The Government of India provided it protection in the 1970s. Conservation groups began breeding and reintroduction programs. However, the population of crocodiles declined between 1997 and 2006.
The gharial is Gavialis gangeticus, also known as the gavial or fish-eating crocodile. Adult female gharials are 2.6 to 4.5 m (8 ft 6 in to 14 ft 6 in) long and male gharials are 3 to 6 m (9 ft 10 in to 19 ft 8 in) long. The adult male has a distinct tip at the end of his snout, which resembles an earthen pot called a pitcher, hence the name gharial. Alligators are used for catching fish due to their long, narrow snout and 110 interconnected sharp teeth.
Administrative approval of the Government of India was received for the establishment of National Chambal Sanctuary on September 30, 1978. To increase the population of crocodiles, hatching center will be started at Deori Crocodile Center of Chambal Crocodile Sanctuary in Morena. People of 75 villages situated on the banks of these rivers have been made aware. 1200 people of the village are working with the forest department as crocodile friends.
In Punjab, crocodiles had disappeared from the rivers there since 1960-70. Crocodiles were sent to Punjab in the year 2017 from Deori Crocodile Center of Chambal River. In the year 2018, 25 crocodiles were sent to Sutlej River and in the year 2020, 25 crocodiles were sent to the Beas River.
National Chambal Sanctuary
National Chambal Sanctuary was created to protect the ecosystem of Chambal River. The main attraction of this sanctuary located in three states is the crocodile and the rare bird ‘Skimmer’. It is famous for the dolphins, crocodiles, crocodiles and clear water turtles found in the Gangetic. It was declared a national sanctuary in the year 1979. It is spread in three states Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. So far, more than 290 species of migratory and resident birds have been identified. The main attraction of this sanctuary is the crocodile and the rare bird “Indian Smeaker”. These rare birds make their homes here during the summer season. About 80 percent of the total population in the country migrates to Smekar Chambal Sanctuary.
