Gharials | 10 Jan 2022
Why in News
The Assam government has issued a preliminary notification to make Orang National Park more than thrice its existing size for conserving Gharials.
Key Points
- About:
- Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
- Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and more.
- India has three species of Crocodilians namely:
- Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus): IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered
- Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris): IUCN- Vulnerable.
- Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus): IUCN- Least Concern.
- All the three are listed on Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Exception: Saltwater Crocodile populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are included in Appendix II of CITES.
- Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
- Habitat of Gharials:
- Natural Habitat: Fresh waters of the northern part of India.
- Primary Habitat: Chambal river (a tributary of Yamuna).
- Secondary Habitat: Ghagra, Gandak river, Girwa river (Uttar Pradesh), the Ramganga river (Uttarakhand) and the Sone river (Bihar).
- Significance: Population of Gharials are a good indicator of clean river water.
- Conservation Efforts:
- Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, National Chambal Sanctuary (Gharial Eco Park, Madhya Pradesh).
- Threats:
- Increased river pollution, dam construction, massive-scale fishing operations and floods.
- Illegal sand mining and poaching.
Orang National Park
- The Orang National Park also known as Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park is located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam and covers an area of 78.81 square kilometers.
- It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 but was declared as a National Park in 1999. It is also the 49th Tiger Reserve of the country, being notified in 2016.
- It is also known as the mini Kaziranga National Park since the two parks have a similar landscape made up of marshes, streams, and grasslands.
- It is the only stronghold of rhinoceros on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river.
Other Protected Areas in Assam
- Dibru-Saikhowa National Park,
- Manas National Park,
- Nameri National Park,
- Kaziranga National Park.
- Dehing Patkai and Raimona National Parks
- Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary
