Gharial crisis: Causes, Challenges and Madhya Pradesh's leading role in Conservation

Why in the NEWS?

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently released 10 gharials into the Chambal River at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released nine male and one female gharials in the Chambal River.
• The move is aimed at further strengthening the growing number of gharials in the state.
• As per the 2024 census, 2,456 gharials have been recorded in Madhya Pradesh, a result of decades of conservation efforts.
• The number of gharials had declined by more than 80% in the 1950s and 1960s.
• However, the number improved by 1997 through conservation programmes, but again declined by 58% between 1997 and 2006.
• The number fell from 436 adults to 182.
• According to researchers, the species is on the verge of extinction in Myanmar and Bhutan, while its population in Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh is extremely limited.
• This effort is a significant step towards the conservation of this critically endangered species.
• Conservation efforts over the years have earned Madhya Pradesh the title of “Gharial State”, home to more than 80% of India’s gharials.

What will you read next in this topic?

1. What is a gharial?
2. Major challenges faced by gharials
3. Conservation efforts and future strategy
4. International cooperation and gharial conservation
5. What is World Wildlife Fund (WWF)?
6. IUCN and the classification system of species

What is a gharial?

• Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a unique species of crocodile, which is known for its long and narrow snout.
• Gharials have a special place in Indian mythology and are also depicted as the vehicle of Goddess Ganga.
• Gharials are piscivores and their thin snout has many sharp and interconnected teeth, which help in catching fish.
• Male gharials are 3-6 meters long and females are 2.6-4.5 meters long.
• Their breeding season is from November to January and they lay eggs in sand dunes when the water level of the river decreases from March to May.
• Gharials play an important role in balancing the river ecosystem.
• They keep water bodies clean by consuming rotten fish.

Major challenges faced by gharials

• Excessive hunting: Earlier, gharials were hunted on a large scale for their skins and trophies. Various products were made from their skin, which led to a huge decline in their numbers.
• Exploitation of eggs: Their eggs were used in traditional medical practices. Also, they were exploited as a food source, which hindered their natural reproduction.
• Change in river flow: The construction of dams and irrigation canals has changed the flow of rivers, affecting the natural habitat of gharials. They lay eggs on open sand dunes, but their nests may be destroyed due to irregularities in water flow.
• Silt deposition and embankment construction: Siltation reduces the depth of the river, due to which suitable habitats for gharials are decreasing. Apart from this, embankment construction limits their habitat area.
• Illegal sand mining: Illegal sand mining along the river banks is destroying the breeding grounds of gharials. This makes their eggs unsafe and reduces the chances of survival of new born gharials.
• Water pollution: Industrial waste, pesticides and other chemicals used in agriculture are released into rivers, increasing water pollution. This is dangerous for the health of gharials and also affects their food chain.
• Danger of gill nets: Gill nets are used to catch fish, but gharials often get trapped in them and die of suffocation. This remains a serious problem even in protected areas.

Conservation efforts and future strategy

• Between 1975 and 1982, India established 16 captive breeding and rehabilitation centres and five gharial sanctuaries. 
• Currently, gharials are protected mainly in the following five sanctuaries:
  • National Chambal Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh)
  • Katarniaghat Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Chitwan National Park (Nepal)
  • Son River Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary (Odisha)

The major measures for gharial conservation include:

• Captive breeding programmes and monitoring of newly released gharials in protected areas.
• Strict action against illegal sand mining and other threats.
• Education of local communities and ensuring their participation in conservation activities.
• Concrete measures for restoration of river ecology, such as water quality management and protection of natural habitats.

International cooperation and gharial conservation

• Gharial conservation projects are underway in Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park in Nepal.
• The Government of Nepal and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are jointly working to preserve the river ecosystem and rehabilitate gharials.
• A limited number of conservation programmes are also being run in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• Cooperation is being extended between India and Nepal to facilitate the natural migration of gharials in the border water bodies, thereby securing the species at the regional level.

Role of local communities

• The involvement of local communities has been crucial in gharial conservation. Many rural communities in the Chambal region are now actively involved in conservation efforts.
• Fishing communities have been sensitized by wildlife officials and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) not to use gill nets, as these are fatal to gharials.
• Women's self-help groups (SHGs) are taking part in gharial awareness campaigns, spreading conservation information to every village.
• Local fishermen and farmers are being trained in eco-friendly agriculture and alternative employment options so that they do not harm the natural habitats of gharials.

What is World Wildlife Fund (WWF)?

• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a global non-profit organization that works to protect the environment and save biodiversity.
• It was founded in Switzerland in 1961, and is one of the largest and most influential conservation organizations in the world.
• The main objective of WWF is to conserve wildlife and natural ecosystems, so that life on earth remains balanced.
• This organization works in the areas of climate change, deforestation, marine life, freshwater resources and sustainable development.

Major areas of work of WWF

• Wildlife conservation - Works for the conservation of endangered species such as tiger, rhinoceros, gharial, panda etc.
• Climate change - Works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy.
• Forest and biodiversity - Conducts various projects to prevent illegal deforestation and forest conservation.
• Water Resources Conservation – Works to protect the ecosystem of rivers, lakes and seas.
• Involvement of local communities – Involves rural and tribal communities in conservation programmes for environmental sustainability.

WWF and Gharial Conservation

• WWF conducts gharial conservation projects in India and Nepal.
• It works closely with the government and local organisations to preserve the habitat of gharials in the National Chambal Sanctuary, the Gandak River and other water sources.
• WWF also runs awareness campaigns to tackle challenges such as poaching, sand mining and water pollution.

IUCN and the classification system of species

• From a conservation point of view, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) evaluates the status of species and classifies them into different categories.
• The IUCN puts species into nine categories based on their risk of extinction:
• Extinct (EX)
  • When a species has been completely wiped out.
  • Examples: Dodo, Tasmanian Tiger.
• Extinct in the Wild (EW)
  • When a species is found only in zoos or conservation centres, but not in the natural environment.
  • Examples: Peruvian Blue Macaw (Spix's Macaw).
• Critically Endangered (CR)
  • When a species' population has fallen by 80-90% and it is on the verge of extinction.
  • Example: Javan Rhino, Chinese river dolphin.
• Endangered (EN)
  • When a species' population has declined so much that it may soon become extinct.
  • Examples: Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, gharial.
• Vulnerable (VU)
  • When a species' population is declining rapidly, but it is not yet very close to extinction.
  • Examples: Snow Leopard, Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
• Near Threatened (NT)
  • When a species is safe now, but is at risk of becoming endangered in the future.
  • Examples: Polar bear, Narwhal.
• Least Concern (LC)
  • When a species is safe now and its population is stable.
  • Examples: Squirrel, spotted deer.
• Data Deficient (DD)
  • When there is not enough information about a species to classify it.
• Not Evaluated (NE)
  • When a species has not yet been analysed by the IUCN.

Importance of the IUCN Red List

• It provides guidelines to governments, scientists and conservation organisations to formulate policies and save species.
• It encourages global efforts for wildlife conservation.
• It helps in understanding environmental changes and monitoring the status of biodiversity.