Gharial: Characteristics, Habitat and Conservation Status

Discover the Gharial, a critically endangered crocodilian species native to India, known for its long, narrow snout and vital role in maintaining river ecosystems.

Table of Contents

Context: Nearly 174 baby gharials were released into the Gandak river in Bihar to mark the World Crocodile Day. Also Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister released 10 gharials into the Chambal River at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena.

About Gharials

Distinctive Features

Long, narrow snout with interlocking sharp teeth (adapted for catching fish).
The bulbous snout tip (ghara) in males is used for sound production and courtship displays.
Webbed feet and weak legs make them excellent swimmers but poor walkers.
Communal nesting: Many females lay eggs in the same area.
Parental Care: Unlike crocodiles, gharials don’t carry hatchlings in their mouths but guard them after hatching.

Size and Physical Characteristics

Males: Grow up to 6 meters (20 feet), weigh 160–250 kg.
Females: Smaller, growing 6–4.5 meters.
Teeth: 110+ teeth, designed to grip slippery fish.

Distribution: Found in India, Nepal and parts of Bangladesh.
Preferred Habitat: Freshwater rivers with deep pools, sandy banks and slow-moving currents.
Ecological Role: Primarily fish-eating but also clean up carrion, keeping rivers healthy.
Cultural Significance: It is depicted as the divine mount of Goddess Ganga in Indian mythology.

Conservation Status

IUCN: Critically Endangered
WPA: Schedule-I

Why Is Gharial Conservation Needed?

Past Population Decline

1950s-60s: More than an 80% decline in India’s gharial population.

Major Threats

Historical Threats: Overhunting for skins, trophies, eggs, and traditional medicine.
Modern Challenges:
- Habitat destruction (dam construction, irrigation canals, embankments).
- Siltation and sand-mining disrupt nesting sites.
- Pollution and river course changes.

Facts

India hosts nearly 80% of the global wild gharial population.
Madhya Pradesh is also known as “Gharial State”

gharial population

Primarily Found In:
- National Chambal Sanctuary (550 out of 650 individuals)
- Katerniaghat Sanctuary, UP
- Chitwan National Park, Nepal
- Son River Sanctuary, MP
- Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Odisha
Odisha is the only Indian state to host wild populations of all three native crocodilian species (Gharial , Mugger crocodile (IUCN Status– Vulnerable) and Saltwater crocodile (IUCN Status– Least Concern)).
World Crocodile Day: 17th June.

The Gharial Ecology Project (GEP) was launched by Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in 2008.
Crocodile Conservation Project (CCP): Launched in 1975 at Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha which was supported by the United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Distribution of Gharial in India

Major Protected Areas:
- National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh).
- Katerniaghat Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh).
- Son River Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
- Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary (Odisha).
Madhya Pradesh hosts over 80% of the Gharial population of India & is a champion in Gharial conservation efforts.. It also has the title of “Gharial State”.