Ghodahada Reservoir | 13 Jan 2020

The population of Mugger Crocodile is on the rise in Odisha’s Ghodahada reservoir.

As per the annual crocodile census conducted in the Ghodahada reservoir, the number of mature mugger crocodiles in Ghodahada reservoir and its adjoining area has increased.
The reservoir is located close to the Lakhari Valley Sanctuary and is a part of the Eastern Ghats.
The reservoir is fed by Ghodahada river which is a tributary of the Rushikulya.

It is one of the three crocodile species found in Odisha, the others being gharial in Satkosia and Saltwater crocodile in Bhitarkanika.
The mugger is an egg-laying and hole-nesting species.
It is mainly restricted to the Indian subcontinent where it may be found in a number of freshwater habitat types including rivers, lakes and marshes.
However, it can even be found in coastal saltwater lagoons and estuaries.
It is already extinct in Bhutan and Myanmar.
Principal threats: Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and transformation, fishing activities and use of crocodile parts for medicinal purposes.
IUCN status: Vulnerable
It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Schedule I and part II of Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provide the highest degrees of protection to listed species.
It is also listed under CITES Appendix I.

Lakhari Valley Sanctuary

It was established in the year 1985. It is marked by the tropical climate and receives a huge amount of rainfall every year due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal.
The sanctuary is full of rich tropical forest, valleys, hills, water sources etc.
It is one of the elephant populated sanctuaries in India.