The Habitat of the Gharial

The Gharial is believed to have originated from the northern Indian subcontinent. Fossilized Gharial remains have been found in the Pliocene layers of the Shivalik Hills and the Narmada River valley. These creatures inhabit freshwater river systems, often gathering near deep river bends. As they are not well-adapted to terrestrial life, they only leave the water to bask in the sun or nest. Mating occurs during the cold season, while egg-laying takes place in the spring, with females laying between 20 to 95 eggs.

Gharials are now critically endangered and can only be found in two countries - India, along the Chambal, Girwa, Son Rivers, and Gangetic Delta, and Nepal, along the Narayani River.

Characteristics of the Gharial

Gharials can weigh up to 908 kgs and regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun and cooling off in the shade or water. Unlike other crocodiles, Gharials do not stalk their prey. Instead, they have sensory cells in their snouts that detect vibrations in the water, allowing them to catch fish by swinging their heads from side to side and trapping them in their jaws. While adults primarily feed on fish, young Gharials consume insects and frogs.

Threats to the Gharial

The Gharial is classified as 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature . The primary threats to this species are human activities. Over the years, the Gharial population has decreased by up to 98 per cent due to hunting for traditional medicine and significant alterations to their aquatic habitats.

Gharials are particularly susceptible to getting caught in fishing nets due to their large, toothy snouts. This often results in them being killed or having their snouts cut off to free them from the nets. Other human activities such as riverbank farming and sand removal from riverbanks also pose significant threats to the Gharial's survival.

Conservation Efforts

Over the years, several conservation efforts have been initiated to protect the Gharial. In the 1970s, the Indian government banned the hunting of Gharials. Subsequently, conservation organizations in India and Nepal started rear-and-release programs, and over 6,000 captive-bred Gharials have been released into the wild. However, due to the lack of effective monitoring, the success of these initiatives is hard to determine.

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