Context: 

Madhya Pradesh, home to over 80% of the country’s gharials, has led conservation initiatives, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently releasing ten gharials into the Chambal River to bolster their population. The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered crocodilian, has been the focus of extensive conservation efforts in India.

Ecological Significance and Population Status

Gharials are fish-eating reptiles known for the bulbous, ghara-shaped snout of males. They play a key role in maintaining healthy river ecosystems. They depend on large river systems, using sandbanks for basking and nesting. Males grow between 3-6 meters, while females range from 2.6-4.5 meters. 

Madhya Pradesh’s National Chambal Sanctuary recorded 2,456 gharials in 2024, showing a strong recovery from an 80% decline in the 1950s-60s. However, between 1997 and 2006, their numbers dropped by 58%. Today, they survive in only five major habitats:

• India: National Chambal Sanctuary, Katerniaghat Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary, and Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary.
• Outside India: Small populations exist in Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. They are nearly extinct in Myanmar and Bhutan.

Threats to Gharials

1.   Habitat Destruction – Dam construction, irrigation projects, siltation, embankments, and sand mining reduce nesting and basking sites.

2.   Human Activities – Pollution, overfishing, and gill nets cause accidental entanglement and deaths.

3.   Historical Exploitation – Overhunting for skins, trophies, and medicine led to severe population declines.

Conservation Efforts

1.   Captive Breeding & Reintroduction – Since the 1970s, 16 breeding centers have raised and released gharials, including the Deori Gharial Center in MP. In 2017, 2018, and 2020, gharials were reintroduced into Punjab’s Sutlej and Beas Rivers.

2.   Legislation & Protection – The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 grants gharials the highest legal protection, and river conservation measures curb sand mining and pollution.

3.   Community Engagement & Habitat Management – Conservation programs involve local communities in awareness and habitat protection efforts.

Conclusion

Madhya Pradesh’s conservation efforts have significantly revived gharial populations, but challenges remain. Strengthening habitat protection, sustainable development, and community involvement is crucial for long-term survival. The success of gharial conservation in India depends on sustained policy measures and scientific interventions.