Sand mining, poaching pose threat to 'gharial' life

Morena, MP, Sep 27: Sand mining and illegal poaching in a sanctuary near Chambal river in this district has been posing threat to conservation efforts of endangered 'gharial' crocodile.

The 'gharial' crocodile -- listed as an endangered reptile due to its diminishing population world over -- is found in plenty in the Chambal river in Morena. However, their population had been declining of late.

Aquatic life expert Rishikesh Sharma told UNI here that 'gharial' and 'samudri magar' species were most prominent among 23 crocodile species in the world and the former was found only in rivers of India and Nepal.

Dr Sharma said a joint survey by aquatic experts in February found that out of more than 1,000 'gharial' crocodiles found in rivers in the world, 750-800 were found in the Chambal river.

He said since the National Gharial Sanctuary was set up near Devari village in 1978, 300 young gharial had been released into the Chambal, while a centre in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow has released 2,500 gharials into the river so far.

Morena Divisional Forest Officer K P Sharma admitted that besides illegal poaching, providing sand quarry in Piparia village on lease for 10 years for sand mining has endangered 'gharial' species, which lay eggs in sand.

The DFO said the department took action from time to time against illegal poachers and miners and presented them before the court. Besides, a recommendation had been sent to the state government to handover the security of the sanctuary to paramilitary force to curb illegal sand mining. Mr Sharma said a proposal to exclude villages in the Chambal sanctuary area has also been sent and to confine the sanctuary area to the river banks and higher areas.

Aquatic life expert Dr Sharma pointed out that female 'gharials' laid around 30-50 eggs during breeding season and around 2,000-2,500 eggs were found in sand 'nests' near the banks of Chambal river every year.

Out of these, the sanctuary brought 200-250 eggs and developed them. However, only 1-2 per cent 'gharial' fingerlings survived.

He expressed fears that flood in Chambal river this year -- after a gap of 10 years -- would affect 'gharial' species and the exact damage could be ascertained only after census next year.

UNI