25 'gharials' released in Chambal river

Gwalior, Apr 14 (UNI) The Forest Department today released 25 young 'gharials (crocodiles)' -- being reared at Devari Nursery in Morena district -- at Dang Basai Ghat in the Chambal river.

Splashing water, one after the other, the young 'gharials leapt into the river.

Divisional Forest Officer (Wild Life) Jagdish Chandra said the reptiles had been released in the river at Dang Basai Ghat, 30 km from Rajghat Highway.

He said the place was found to be most suitable for natural habitat of these 'gharials'.

The nursery, which has been rearing more than 100 'gharials' since 2004, released 25 crocodiles in the Ken river in Khajuraho on March 29, while as many reptiles would be released in the Son river in Sidhi district.

''Fifty 'gharials' are proposed to be released in the Chambal river, of which 25 were released today,'' he said.

Aquatic life expert R K Sharma said the Chambal Crocodile Sanctuary had 772 reptiles last year. The number was expected to grow to 900 this year.

UNI