Chambal Sanctuary Breeding Success Signals Progress in India’s River Wildlife Mission

The emergence of nearly 100 gharial hatchlings along the sandy banks of the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Rajasthan’s Dholpur has provided a significant boost to India’s ongoing efforts to revive one of the world’s most critically endangered reptiles. Forest officials described the development as an encouraging sign for the fragile species, whose population had once plunged dangerously close to extinction due to habitat destruction and river pollution.

The hatchlings emerged from four nests in the Palighat region near Ranthambore National Park after an incubation period of nearly two months. According to the forest department, female gharials laid around 500 to 600 eggs across 22 to 25 nests along the Chambal riverbanks in early April. Officials expect more hatchlings to emerge in the coming days as the breeding season progresses.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Manas Singh said the initial weeks after hatching are extremely sensitive for the newborn reptiles. To improve survival rates, forest teams have intensified patrolling, installed protective fencing around nesting sites and restricted human movement near breeding areas. Authorities have also appealed to tourists, fishermen and local residents to avoid disturbing riverbanks during the nesting season.

The conservation programme is being strengthened further through the construction of a modern gharial rearing centre at Palighat at a cost of Rs 27.25 lakh . Officials believe the facility will improve scientific breeding, rehabilitation and long-term monitoring of juvenile gharials.

Wildlife experts note that the Chambal River system remains the most important surviving habitat for gharials globally. Once found across rivers in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the species suffered a steep decline because of illegal sand mining, dam construction, shrinking river habitats, fishing-net entanglement and pollution . Conservation efforts under India’s long-running Project Crocodile , launched in the 1970s, have since helped revive populations through captive breeding and release programmes.

Gharials are considered a key indicator species because they survive only in relatively clean and undisturbed freshwater ecosystems. Their presence reflects healthier river ecology, balanced fish populations and stronger biodiversity. The sanctuary, spread across nearly 5,400 square kilometres and jointly managed by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, also supports Gangetic dolphins, turtles, otters, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species .

Unlike crocodiles, gharials are shy, fish-eating reptiles with long narrow snouts specially adapted for catching aquatic prey. Hatchlings usually remain close to protected sandbanks during their early stages before gradually moving through connected river channels. Officials estimate that the sanctuary currently shelters more than 130 adult gharials , underlining the growing importance of sustained river conservation efforts in securing the species’ future.