New Delhi: India boasts a remarkable variety of wildlife and is the eighth most biodiverse country in the world, with a biodiversity score of 0.46. The nation is home to an impressive 102,718 species of fauna, and as of 2020, 23.39 per cent of the country’s geographical area is covered by forests and trees. India is also dotted with numerous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, offering a rich array of fauna for enthusiasts to discover. In this article, we will delve into the National Chambal Sanctuary, an expansive tri-state protected area teeming with diverse wildlife and natural wonders.
About National Chambal Sanctuary
The National Chambal Sanctuary, also known as the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, covers an area of 5,400 square kilometres in North India. It is located along the Chambal River near the junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary was established in Madhya Pradesh in 1978 and is now jointly administered by the three states. It is home to the pristine Chambal River, which flows through intricate ravines and hilly terrain, creating numerous sandy beaches.
Source: National Chambal Sanctuary
List of Fauna one can explore in National Chambal Sanctuary
Endangered Animals
This protected area conserves the
Critically Endangered Gharial
Red-crowned roof turtle
Endangered Ganges river dolphin
Other large threatened inhabitants of the sanctuary include
Mugger crocodile
Smooth-coated otter
Striped hyena
Indian wolf
The Chambal Sanctuary has eight of India’s 26 rare turtle species, including the Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, three-striped roof turtle, and red-crowned river turtle (endangered).
Other reptiles who live here are:
Indian flap shell turtle
Softshell turtle
Indian roofed turtle
Indian tent turtle
Monitor lizard
Mammals of less concern which live here are
Rhesus macaque
Hanuman langur
Golden jackal
Bengal fox
Common palm civet
Small Asian mongoose
Indian grey mongoose
Jungle cat
Wild boar
Sambar
Nilgai
Blackbuck
Indian gazelle
Northern palm squirrel
Indian crested porcupine
Indian hair
Indian flying fox
Indian long-eared hedgehog
Birds
The National Chambal Sanctuary, nestled along the Chambal River, has been recognised as an important bird area (IBA) and is currently a proposed Ramsar site. This ecologically diverse sanctuary is home to 320 resident and migratory birds, making it a haven for avian enthusiasts.
Major migratory birds from Siberia contribute to the sanctuary’s vibrant bird population, adding to the area’s overall ecological significance.
Vulnerable bird species here include
Indian skimmer
Sarus Crane
Pallas’ fish eagle
Indian courser
Pallid harrier (threatened)
Lesser flamingo (threatened)
Winter visitors include
Black-bellied tern
Red-crested pochard
Ferruginous pochard
Bar-headed goose
Other species include
Great thick-knee
Greater Flamingo
Darter
Brown boobook
What are the threats faced by the National Chambal Sanctuary?
The National Chambal Sanctuary faces several significant threats that endanger the survival of its diverse wildlife. One key challenge arises from state conflicts over allocating water for various uses such as irrigation, hydel power projects, and drinking water.
The sanctuary also struggles with a shortage of trained and skilled human resources, negatively affecting its biodiversity due to harmful and illegal activities. Furthermore, fisheries in the Chambal River directly impact the Gharials.
In contrast, the expansion of riverbank agriculture poses a severe threat to the Gharials, Dolphins, and other aquatic animals. Illegal activities like poaching and hunting of Gharials further imperil their existence.
Moreover, water contamination from the Yamuna River into the Chambal River and cattle grazing along the riverbank threaten the Gharials’ natural habitat, destroying their nesting places.
What are the conservation measures for preserving the national sanctuary?
The National Chambal Sanctuary is a rare protected area known for its effective conservation measures like:
The gharial rehabilitation project began in 1979 when the population reached an all-time low.
The Deori Gharial Rehabilitation Centre (DGRC) was established to hatch and rear gharials artificially.
The sanctuary also supports the conservation of the endangered Gangetic River Dolphin.
To safeguard the sanctuary, commercial fishing has been stopped, anti-poaching measures have been implemented, habitat protection has been extended, and a ‘grow and release’ programme for gharials is in place. The fauna’s population is monitored through research.
The National Chambal Sanctuary is home to the largest population of Gangetic Gharials and the last surviving habitat of Gangetic River Dolphins. It is known for its clean river and diverse turtle species and is a premier ecotourism and wildlife destination. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
