News: The Gandak river has emerged as the second major river after the Chambal with the highest number of gharials.
About Gandak River
- Gandak River is a major river of Nepal and a left-bank tributary of the Ganges in India.
- Origin: It originates at an altitude of 620 m above msl to the north of Dhaulagiri Mountain in Tibet near Nepal border.
- Course of river: Gandak River is known as the Kali Gandaki and Narayani after its confluence with the Trisuli River in Nepal.
- While flowing through the Nepal Himalayas, it forms the Kali Gandaki gorge, one of the deepest river gorges in the world.
- It flows southward into India and passes through the districts of West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, and Vaishali in Bihar, as well as Gorakhpur and Deoria in Uttar Pradesh.
- It finally joins Ganga at Hajipur in Bihar.
- Total Catchment area: 46,300 km².
- Major Tributaries: Daraudi, Seti, Madi, Marsyandi, and Budhi Gandaki.
- Fauna: The basin supports species such as tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, gaur, and fishing cat, Gangetic dolphin, smooth-coated otter, gharial, and mugger, gangetic dolphins, turtles, greater and lesser adjutants and the common shelduck, etc
About Gharial
- The gharial is a species of crocodilian. It scientific name is Gavialis gangeticus.
- It is the only visibly sexually dimorphic crocodilian, characterized by a large, bulbous knob called a ghara.
- Distribution: Gharials are primarily found in the rivers of India and Nepal.
- The surviving population can be found within the tributaries of the Ganges river system: Girwa, Son, Ramganga, Gandak, Chambal and Mahanadi.
- Habitat: Gharials prefer deep, fast-flowing rivers but are also found in still water branches and deep holes at river bends and confluences.
- Physical Characteristics
- It is one of the largest crocodilian species.
- Male gharials grow between 3 to 6 m in length, while females range from 2.6 to 4.5 m.
- Mature males develop a bulbous growth called a ghara on their snouts, which they use to produce vocalization.
- Their distinctive snout is lined with sharp, interlocking teeth, which help them catch fish efficiently.
- Gharials are not well-suited for walking on land and spend most of their time in water.
- Importance in Ecosystem: Gharials play a vital role in maintaining the balance of river ecosystems and act an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
- Threats to Gharial: Habitat destruction, Fishing activities and Climate change
- Conservation status: Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and as Critically Endangered on IUCN Red List.
- Conservation efforts:
- Between 1975 and 1982, India established 16 captive breeding and release centers to support gharial populations.
- The species primarily survives in five key sanctuaries: National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS), Katerniaghat Sanctuary, Chitwan National Park, Son River Sanctuary and Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary.
