Alligators unsafe in river Chambal; toll at 94

Etawah, Feb 22 (UNI) The recovery of yet another carcass of an alligator from river Chambal has sent the forest officials and wildlife experts into a tizzy.

Since December 8, 2007, 94 alligators had been found dead in the river under mysterious circumstances.

In 1979, to stem the mushrooming threat of their extinction, government had kickstarted the Alligators Conservation Scheme, wherby, almost 1,200 such reptiles were released in Chambal.

Sources said, had this scheme implemented properly, over 10,000 alligators would have been in the river. Sadly, only 855 reptiles were found in February 2007 survey.

Besides, Uttar Pradesh and Central government officials, International Wildlife experts were leaving no stone unturned to detect the cause of their death.

Kavai fish is generally found in river Yammuna, however, over the years, a phenomenal spurt had been witnessed in their number in Chambal river.

On the other hand, during a meeting of wildlife experts, including American doctor Brain Straisi, Dr Paul of Hong Kong, Alligator Conservation Schemes chairperson Ram bitakar, wildlife and forest ministry joint director pramod krishnan, water pollution was the concluded reason behind the extinction.

On February 5, a rare species dolphin was also found dead in the river.

UNI PDM MS HS1450