PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (New Delhi, India) 25 November 10 Protection to Crocodiles in Chambal Ghariyal and Crocodile have been included in the Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby affording them highest degree of protection. There are about 800 Ghariyals and 300 Crocodiles in National Chambal Sanctuary.

Details of mortality of Ghariyals and Crocodiles in Chambal Sanctuary during the last three years are given at Annexure.

There are several reasons for the death of Ghariyals and Crocodiles including natural death, poaching, and possible affects of some toxins manifested as articular and visceral gout, infestation of nematodes and entanglement in the fishing nets etc.

Action taken by the Government to protect Ghariyals and Crocodiles and its habitat include the following:

(i) Ghariyal and Crocodile have been included in the Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby affording them highest degree of protection.

(ii) Important habitats of Ghariyals and Crocodiles like the Chambal River passing through the States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajsthan and Uttar Pradesh have been declared as National Chambal Sanctuary.

(iii) Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for conservation and protection of wildlife including Ghariyal and Crocodile and their habitats.

(iv) Efforts are made by the State Governments to stop illegal sand mining from the river sanctuaries to avoid damage to the habitat of Ghariyals and Crocodiles.

(v) Breeding of Ghariyals in captivity has been successfully standardized and as and when required, captive bred Ghariyals are released into the river habitats.

MADHYA PRADESH

Year 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Total

Ghariyals 37 05 05 47

Crocodiles 01 -- 01 02

RAJASTHAN

Year 2007-10 Total

Ghariyals 02 02

Crocodiles 02 02

UTTAR PRADESH

Year 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Total

Ghariyals 75 03 -- 78

Crocodiles 01 -- -- 01

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Ashok Argal in Lok Sabha today.
Protection to Crocodiles in Chambal

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