At least 28 gharial hatchlings were sighted recently in the Satkosia gorge of the Mahanadi River in the first-ever case of breeding of the reptiles in natural conditions in 15 years, away from artificial breeding centres. The tiny hatchlings were sighted on the back of the mother gharial and were also swimming independently in the gorge.
Distinguishable by their long snout, the gharials are considered to be among the most critically endangered crocodiles with an estimated 200 400 remaining in the rivers of Uttar Pradesh. Their habitat is threatened due to human encroachment and disruption of population through fishing activities. They are also genetically weak as compared to salt water crocodiles and muggers.
Gharials caught accidentally in fishing nets are either hacked to death or have their snout chopped off by fishermen.
Odisha is the only state in India having all three species of crocodiles (gharial, mugger and saltwater) found in nature. The State Forest Department has begun conservation of these three species since 1975 by establishing three rearing centres – Tikarpada for gharials in Angul district, Ramatirtha for muggers in Mayurbhanj, and Bhitarkanika for saltwater crocodiles in Kendrapara district.
Picture Credit : Google
