Gharials hatch a record feat: Endangered species boosted as more than 2,000 hatchings are recorded Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2180790/Gharials-hatch-record-feat-Endangered-species-boosted-2-000-hatchings-recorded.html#ixzz22BhHqUB8

By Akash Vashishtha
PUBLISHED: 21:47 GMT, 29 July 2012 | UPDATED: 22:33 GMT, 30 July 2012

India has achieved a 'gharial' feat in wildlife conservation. Reversing the rate of extinction, wildlife experts have recorded an unprecedented hatching of gharials and crocodiles in the Chambal Wildlife area this year.
As many as 2,340 gharial eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year, the highest recorded since gharial conservation efforts began in 1975.
Chambal river accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country. Out of the 1,500 gharials in India, about 1,200 are found in the Chambal river alone. In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings hatched from around 32 nests, while in 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests.

The poor monsoon this year has helped bolster the numbers

In 2008- 09, the count of hatchings was around 1,000 in 30 nests while in the previous year 359 juveniles were born in about 15 nests. Though the numbers are impressive, not many juveniles make it to adulthood. Studies estimate the total number of breeding adult gharials in the country to be less than 200.
Native to the Indian sub-continent, the gharial, also known as the gavial or 'fish-eating' crocodile, is considered the only true descendant of the ancient crocodilian family that existed on Earth some 100 million years ago.

The gharial is one of the three crocodilians found in the world. The other two are mugger and saltwater crocodile. Gharials are characterised by their long snout and grow up to three to five metres. A carnivore, gharials can easily haul humans though they find it difficult to swallow them, owing to their thin and fragile jaws.
The gharials were once abundant in all river systems of the Indian sub-continent, enjoying a habitat spread over some 1,100 river km over a geographic area of 20,000 sq km. The majority of the population was concentrated on the northern mass of the subcontinent - from the Indus river system in the west to Irrawaddy in the east.
Rough estimates put the gharial population between 5,000 to 10,000 in the 1940s. However, owing to a lack of proper attention and conservation efforts, the population of gharials plummeted to less than 200 by 1975.
They ceased to exist in major rivers such as Indus, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy. Worried by the fall in numbers, the Indian government launched 'Project Crocodile' in 1975.
Over the next 30 years, some 5,000 gharials were bred and released into potential river systems across the country. Consequently, the species showed some recovery and its population rose to 1,500.
Gharial has been declared 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes animals such as rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers and snakes.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, deputy conservator of forests, National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when around 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still unknown.

Despite the high number of hatchings, there are less than 200 adult breeding gharials in India

But the crisis now appears to have been overcome. The number of nests protected this year has gone up to 68 from 15 in 2007-08.
'Our staff have kept roundthe- clock vigil on the banks of Chambal river during nesting season (March-May). Once the female gharials lay eggs and leave, the nests are identified. They are then enclosed with square wire mesh to ward off dogs, jackals and other animals, which dig and destroy the eggs,' Banerjee said.
He added: 'Mortality is usually higher in young gharials as they get washed away in floods, a usual phenomenon in the Chambal river, but this year appears to be an exception. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, rains have been scant and delayed, providing enough time for the hatch to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream.'

Of the 1,500 gharials in India, 1,200 are found in the Chambal

Abundance of fish, less human interference and pollution (no industries) in Chambal's wildlife have been the primary reasons behind the significant rise in the number of crocodiles.
The Uttar Pradesh government is keen to harness the untapped tourism potential of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is co-administered by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary along Bah (Agra) and Etawah. The sanctuary is situated around 77 km from Taj Mahal. A plan is being prepared to attract Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary by offering a river cruise and safari.
For now, the wildlife experts are keeping their fingers crossed on the survival rate of the newborn gharials in the Chambal sanctuary

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2180790/Gharials-hatch-record-feat-Endangered-species-boosted-2-000-hatchings-recorded.html#ixzz22BhNi9El

Record hatching of gharials in India this year

Akash Vashishtha  | Agra, July 30, 2012 | 15:46

Despite the high number of hatchings, there are less than 200 adult breeding gharials in India.

India has achieved a 'gharial' feat in wildlife conservation. Reversing the rate of extinction, wildlife experts have recorded an unprecedented hatching of gharials and crocodiles in the Chambal Wildlife area this year.
As many as 2,340 gharial eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year, the highest recorded since gharial conservation efforts began in 1975.
Chambal river accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country. Out of the 1,500 gharials in India, about 1,200 are found in the Chambal river alone.
In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings hatched from around 32 nests, while in 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests. In 2008-09, the count of hatchings was around 1,000 in 30 nests while in the previous year 359 juveniles were born in about 15 nests. Though the numbers are impressive, not many juveniles survive make it to adulthood. Studies estimate the total number of breeding adult gharials in the country to be less than 200.
Native to the Indian sub-continent, the gharial, also known as the gavial or 'fish-eating' crocodile, is considered the only true descendant of the ancient crocodilian family that existed on Earth some 100 million years ago. The gharial is one of the three crocodilians found in the world. The other two are mugger and saltwater crocodile.
Gharials are characterised by their long snout and grow up to three to five metres. A carnivore, gharials can easily haul humans though they find it difficult to swallow them, owing to their thin and fragile jaws.
The gharials were once abundant in all river systems of the Indian sub-continent, enjoying a habitat spread over some 1,100 river km over a geographic area of 20,000 sq km. The majority of the population was concentrated on the northern mass of the subcontinent - from the Indus river system in the west to Irrawaddy in the east. Rough estimates put the gharial population between 5,000 to 10,000 in the 1940s.
However, owing to a lack of proper attention and conservation efforts, the population of gharials plummeted to less than 200 by 1975. They ceased to exist in major rivers such as Indus, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy.
Worried by the fall in numbers, the Indian government launched 'Project Crocodile' in 1975. Over the next 30 years, some 5,000 gharials were bred and released into potential river systems across the country. Consequently, the species showed some recovery and its population rose to 1,500.
Gharial has been declared 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes animals such as rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers and snakes.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, deputy conservator of forests, National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when around 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still unknown. But the crisis now appears to have been overcome. The number of nests protected this year has gone up to 68 from 15 in 2007-08.
"Our staff have kept roundthe-clock vigil on the banks of Chambal river during nesting season (March-May). Once the female gharials lay eggs and leave, the nests are identified. They are then enclosed with square wire mesh to ward off dogs, jackals and other animals, which dig and destroy the eggs," Banerjee said.
He added: "Mortality is usually higher in young gharials as they get washed away in floods, a usual phenomenon in the Chambal river, but this year appears to be an exception. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, rains have been scant and delayed, providing enough time for the hatch to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream."
Abundance of fish, less human interference and pollution (no industries) in Chambal's wildlife have been the primary reasons behind the significant rise in the number of crocodiles.
The Uttar Pradesh government is keen to harness the untapped tourism potential of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is co-administered by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary along Bah (Agra) and Etawah. The sanctuary is situated around 77 km from Taj Mahal. A plan is being prepared to attract Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary by offering a river cruise and safari.
For now, the wildlife experts are keeping their fingers crossed on the survival rate of the newborn gharials in the Chambal sanctuary.
Source- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/record-hatching-of-gharials-in-india-this-year/1/210994.html

Chambal set for a makeover as tourist hub

Neha ShuklaNeha Shukla, TNN | Jul 4, 2012, 01.53AM IST
 LUCKNOW: UP might be a favoured destination for river cruising in days to come. The National Chambal Sanctuary is set for a major revamp. The government is keen on harnessing the untapped tourism potential of the region. Being the home to the last of the Ghariyals remaining, along with eight rare species of turtles and Gangetic dolphins, the sanctuary never got its due share of recognition, leave alone being a revenue contributor.

Right now, the sanctuary gets a trickle of local and foreign tourists in a year. But, it's mainly because of a few private tour operators who offer river cruising and ride to ravines in the sanctuary area. Though the state, so far, has not capitalised in on the river's tourist potential, it has now put the sanctuary's revival on a firm footing.

The officials of the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) have received the instructions from the state government and is preparing a detailed plan. "We are working on developing the area as a tourist hub," said Sujoy Banerjee, divisional forest officer, National Chambal Sanctuary. The 425 kms of the Chambal river was declared a protected area in 1979.

The Chambal ravines which have attracted notoriety for being havens for dacoits, will get a makeover with none other than the chief minister Akhilesh Yadav overseeing the project. "The area was destroyed when Congress was in power. In order to drive out dacoits, the Congress government planted thorny bushes all over the place...helicopters were used to drop seeds for 'babool' plantation. We will clear bushes and plant trees," he had said in his recent interview to TOI. The river originates from Kota in Rajasthan, runs through sandy ravines and ends at Bhare in Etawah, where is merges with the Yamuna. The sanctuary area runs along three states of UP, MP and Rajasthan. UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary running along Bah (Agra) and Etawah.

It's approximately 77 km away from the Taj Mahal. The plan is to attract the Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary, by offering river cruise and river safari. And, to do so forest department has identified spots along the river which can be developed as tourism sites. Though the officials said, it's yet to be finalised, four ghats -- Sehson, Udi, Panchnada and Bhare -- along Chambal have emerged as potential tourism sites.

Etawah already has a Lion safari coming up, which will hardly be an hour-drive from Agra. Developing Chambal sanctuary will build a tourism corridor, in Agra and Etawah. The government is of the opinion that this will not only supplement the incomes of those associated with tourism industry in the state but also create additional employment opportunities.

Among the USP of the sanctuary is its serene ambience, despite the fact that it's close to Agra. It has no industries along its banks and that makes it one of the cleanest rivers. besides, it's one of the unparalleled wildlife spots in the country.

Among the major wildlife attractions are Ghariyals, which are critically endangered. Apart from 200 to 250 ghariyals found in Nepal, most of the remaining 1,500 are found in three Indian rivers — Son, Geruwa and Chambal. The Chambal sanctuary, however, shelters maximum, close to 700.

Besides, eight of the rare turtle species, including the red crowned roof turtle, and critically threatened Gangetic dolphins are found in the sanctuary area. The sanctuary is also one of the important bird areas and a proposed Ramsar site (for being identified as an important wetlands for conservation).

Two bird sanctuaries, Patna in Etah district and Saman in Mainpuri, are located very close to the sanctuary. The region has also the maximum population of Sarus crane and has hundreds of migratory birds visiting it in the winters. "The plan that the department is working on will take into account the rich wildlife in the area," said the DFO.

Crusader goes extra mile to make Chambal’s ill-famed ravines fertile

KANPUR: With the state machinery striving hard to uproot vilayati babul (botanical name prosopis juliflora) from nearly 150 acres of land in the reserved Fisher Forest area of Etawah district for Lion Safari, it is an opportune time to talk about a crusader, who is also on a mission. He is toiling hard to revive the fertility of soil and sustainable living in the ravines of Chambal.

According to experts, vilayati babul may have protected the ground erosion in the Chambal region but its excessive growth over the decades has destroyed the fertility of soil, environment and human health.

Tribhuvan Singh Chauhan, who belongs to nondescript Dibhauli village of Chakarnagar block in Etawah, decided to take up the issue of reviving the soil fertility and restoration of environment as the mission of his life since 1999. He began working hard and by the year 2000 concluded that agriculture practice could be made possible even in the ravines.

On walking into Chauhan's sprawling 5-acre farm in the ravines of Dibhauli one will be surprised to see a large variety of trees and plants. Right from the stately and tall Ashoka trees to mango, `bael' fruit (wood apple), 'jamun' (black berry), 'aonla' (gosseberry), anar (pomegranate) and lemon trees could be seen at the farm. The green crusader had tried his best to make his mission successful. He has been travelling all around the ravines to make villagers commit for the cause, asking them to take a pledge to improve the fertility of the soil.

There is a story behind this endeavour of Chauhan as the barren patch of ravines that once used to be a playfield of dacoits, was gradually converted into a garden.

With a purpose to educate the children and youth, Chauhan moved to the ravines in 1999. In the next two years, he went on adopting natural methods to convert ravines into plains by uprooting vilayati babul and drilling pits and filling it with a borewell water in order to revive the fertility of soil.

"I had to struggle and work hard to drill pits as there was no water even at 100 feet," he said.

He met several scientists and experts, but they certified ravines as totally unfit for cultivation.

Yet he decided to go ahead with his plans. He started off with Ashoka saplings and took an entirely fresh approach to farming through his knowledge of reading and interacting with agriculture experts.

For example, while planting mango saplings, Chauhan left a gap of 20 feet between two and dug a deep pit. He then filled it water, added manure and mixed it with cow dung.

He follows many other ground rules, which are only path breaking in farming. People who mocked him for buying that piece of barren ravines then, are now lauding his efforts.

A project like this needs a lot of patience and there are ways to do this with the help of experts and environmentalists. "My other intention was to spread awareness so that such type of steps can be taken up by others as well," he said.

The plantation of vilayati babul for the protection of land from erosion had been taken up as early as 1888 by Fisher, the then collector of Etawah. He induced the `zamindars' to permit the wastelands to be managed as single unit with a view to conserve fuel and fodder. It covered about 3,000 acres of area. This forest is said to be largely responsible for saving Etawah district from the erosive action of the Yamuna.

"Vilayati babul pushes groundwater table down, dries surface soil and kills native plants. "It's a massive botanical disaster being allowed to continue," he lament. "The forest department, which is still involved in planting vilayati babul, is only misleading the people and the agencies."

According to experts, the weed grows very fast, takes the form of full-grown tree and start pollination in vast areas. "Weed stem is very tough, penetrates ground beyond 20-25 meters to suck underground water. This creates desert-like situation. Wherever, its fruits will fall, the weed will take roots. That's how it has spread in vast area of the Chambal region. Its pollen is known to cause asthma," said Anirudh Dubey, a scientist at an agricultural institute.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Crusader-goes-extra-mile-to-make-Chambals-ill-famed-ravines-fertile/articleshow/14701566.cms?prtpage=1