Crocodile sanctuary in the offing: Jairam Ramesh

[Mrudul Godbole]

Crocodile sanctuary in the offing: Jairam Ramesh
IANS, Dec 28, 2010, 10.34am IST

CHENNAI: The central government will set up a crocodile sanctuary spread over 1,600 sq km near the Chambal river to protect the species, union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Monday.

The Chambal river flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

According to him, a gharial protection authority would also be set up in the three states at an outlay of Rs.8 crore.

Ramesh visited the Madras Crocodile Bank, around 40 km from here, and said there were around 200 breeding adult gharials in the country which were facing extinction.

The idea for a sanctuary for gharials was first mooted by the founder of Madras Crocodile Bank Romulus Whitaker.

He also said that dolphin would soon be declared as endangered marine species.

Article at : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/the-good-earth/Crocodile-sanctuary-in-the-offing-Jairam-Ramesh/articleshow/7176714.cms#ixzz19tSyMPoh

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Good to hear that the gharial is getting some recognition. However, I am not sure what would be the brief of the Gharial protection authority.

It is believed that the mass death of Gharials some time back was due to release of some toxic chemicals by one of the many industries lining the river. Apart from poaching, it is important to maintain the habitat of the Gharial ie. maintain the river clean and free from dams so that there is contiguity. These are serious issues. Mere announcement of setting up of an Authority won't solve these issues.

Apart from Chambal, there are Gharials in other places. You can see them in Corbett in Ramaganga river. These fish eating species should be bred and released in our other rivers which were their former habitats.

Sabyasachi