Chambal dry, gharials on high

Tuesday, 31 July 2012 13:12 Pioneer News Service | New Delhi

Delayed and scanty rains may be leading to a drought-like scenario in the country, but it is proving more than beneficial for the conservation of gharials in its stronghold of the National Chambal Sanctuary. A record number of eggs of this critically endangered species have hatched this year in the sanctuary, reversing their rate of extinction. The species is under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
An unprecedented number of 2,340 eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year which is the highest ever since the commencement of gharial conservation efforts in 1975. The Chambal sanctuary spreads across the States of MP, Rajasthan and UP and accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, Deputy Conservator National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, mortality is usually higher in the gharial hatchlings, as they get washed away in floods, which is a common phenomenon in the Chambal River. But scanty and delayed rains this year, seem to be auguring well for their conservation. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, the relatively dry spell has provided enough time for the hatchlings to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream.
“This was coupled with round the clock vigil of the forest staff on the banks of Chambal River during the nesting season which stretch from March-May. After 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”, he added.
Meanwhile, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when about 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still not known. “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”, said Bannerjee.
 Record hatchlings
In 2007-08, 359 offsprings had hatched in about 15 nests. The count increased to 1,000 in double the number of nests during the following year. In 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests. In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings had hatched from the same number of nests. Though the numbers may appear impressive, the average survival rate of the juveniles is low. Studies estimate the total number of breeding adult gharials in the country to be less than 200.
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