Latest news with #ProjectCrocodile
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Croc, Croc! Charotar Wetlands Witness Jaw-Dropping Rise
Vadodara: Decades ago, this Central Gujarat region earned global fame as the cradle of the 'White Revolution', turning milk-deficient India into a net producer. Now, the NRI-rich villages surrounding India's 'Milk City', Anand, are quietly nurturing a different success story—one that has nothing to do with milk. In a remarkable turnaround, these lush green hamlets have become a beacon of crocodile conservation, with the reptile population rising from just 130 to nearly 550 in 10 years. Just as the country is celebrating 50 years of Project Crocodile, a pioneering initiative that pulled its crocodile species back from the edge of extinction, wetlands in the Charotar region, comprising Anand and Kheda districts, have emerged as the safest haven for these reptiles. The summer 2025 mugger crocodile population count, the latest crocodile count carried out by Vallabh Vidyanagar-based Voluntary Nature Conservancy (VNC), revealed a total of 549 muggers in 42 water bodies across 25 villages of Anand and Kheda. "This has reaffirmed Charotar's status as one of India's unique crocodile landscapes outside the protected areas," said Anirudh Vasava, Executive Director of VNC and member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Crocodile Specialist Group. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "Fifty years ago, crocodiles were confined to a few shrinking habitats. Today, they live in canals, ponds, and rivers that run through our villages and fields," he said. Crocodile expert Dr Raju Vyas, the India Regional Vice-Chair and member of the IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist Group, explained: "Charotar stands out as a unique example in crocodile conservation which is nowhere found in the world. It is facilitated by local culture and people's tolerance level." "Since the lakes in these villages are sprawling, the crocodiles get suitable nesting areas, refuge places to hide, and undisturbed habitats which in turn facilitates their healthy population," said Vasava. Also, these lakes are given on lease to the fishermen, which not only promotes commercial activity but also ensures an abundant supply of food to the crocodiles. "More importantly, the crocodiles here do not face any direct threat of poaching, hunting or harassment. People here understand that crocodiles have the right to live here," he said. Local Guardians Safeguard Crocodiles! Vadodara: For the last three years, a unique initiative has ensured that the crocodiles in Charotar remain unharmed. Through the crocodile guardian initiative, villagers, students, youth, and volunteers are designated as crocodile guardians. Around 25 in eight villages actively contribute to the protection of mugger crocodiles and promote human-crocodile coexistence. "This initiative fosters a sense of ownership and pride in crocodile conservation among local communities. They safeguard nesting sites, assist in the rescue of stranded crocodiles, and report important sightings," said Anirudh Vasava, VNC's Executive Director. Children Croc Fests Vadodara: From Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Florida to Australia, croc fests are an annual feature in many countries. But most of them act as a platform for researchers, scientists, and reptile lovers to raise funds to further research on the reptiles. In 2019, a crocodile fest made its debut even in India. But it was with a marked difference – it was India's first 'children croc fest' or the 'bal mugger melo' - held at Malataj village, 20 km from Anand, to make children, the generation next, learn to live in harmony with the otherwise scary crocodiles. Children of primary schools learn to live with the reptiles through fun games like 'crocs & ladders', 'mugger, mugger, tara inda lav', croc walk, and 'mugger na inda' (crocodile eggs). They spend a day playing specially designed games and competitions revolving around the slogan of 'Maru Gam, Mara Magar' (My village, my crocodiles). And with that comes the learning. In the game 'Mugger Mugger, tara inda laav,' a child has to cross a stretch without harming the female crocodile, played by some other kid, busy protecting her eggs. If the child crosses successfully, he or she is declared the winner, but loses if bitten!
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Odisha to conduct fresh survey to identify new habitats for gharials
BHUBANESWAR: Celebrating 50 years of 'Project Crocodile' in the state, the Odisha government on Tuesday announced to conduct a fresh survey to identity new potential habitats for gharial species of the reptile, population of which has been revived from the brink of extinction in the Mahanadi river system, after decades of struggle. The report 'Back from the brink - Conserving the Gharials of Mahanadi', released by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department on the day as part of the celebration, stated that the comprehensive survey is proposed to re-evaluate existing threats, assess changes in river physiography, and identify potential new habitats for gharials. Study of wild gharials - both adults and hatchlings - is also necessary to monitor their breeding dynamics, courtship, nesting, hatchling behaviour, maternal guarding, and dispersal patterns, the report underlined. Genetic study is also crucial for long-term survival of gharials in the Mahanadi river, it added. Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said, Odisha has successfully revived and sustained crocodile populations in the state over the last 50 years. 'Our state is home to all three species of Indian crocodiles - saltwater, mugger and gharial, and currently, we are focusing on maximising the population of the critically endangered gharial in the Mahanadi through a dedicated Species Recovery Programme,' he added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Climate change threatens Gharial habitat as UP marks 50 yrs of project crocodile
Pilibhit: Climate change is emerging as a major threat to India's critically endangered gharial, even as Uttar Pradesh marks 50 years of Project Crocodile on Crocodile Day with the largest population of the species in the country. The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)—a fish-eating crocodilian with a slender snout—once thrived across 80,000 sq km of the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi River systems. Decimated by habitat loss, poaching, and fishing-net entanglements, the species now survives in just 14 fragmented river stretches across India and Nepal. Although decades of conservation efforts—including the 1975 launch of Project Crocodile—spurred a modest recovery, the impending impacts of climate-driven habitat shifts demand a comprehensive strategy overhaul. A new study by Indian and international researchers used species-distribution models to project gharial habitat suitability under future climate scenarios. The results are striking by 2080, suitable habitat could grow by 36%–145%, even under both moderate and extreme warming projections. Uttar Pradesh emerges as the most promising region, poised to host the largest gharial population. Madhya Pradesh could become a new safe haven, with potential for over 31,000 sq km of suitable habitat. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Assam, Uttarakhand, and Bihar also show encouraging trends, while eastern states like Manipur, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh—previously devoid of gharials—may soon offer refuge. "This year marks 50 years since Project Crocodile began in UP," said Anuradha Vemuri, principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife), Uttar Pradesh. "With around 270 adult gharials in the Chambal, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Ganga rivers—out of a national total of approximately 650—UP ranks first in the country, based on this year's census." Conversely, Odisha is expected to lose all suitable gharial habitat under future climates, and Rajasthan may also see declines. UP itself may experience an initial dip in habitat suitability before eventual recovery. The study highlights annual rainfall and precipitation seasonality as the key factors determining habitat viability—reflecting the species' need for exposed sandbanks during dry seasons for breeding and nesting. Notably, the geographic centre of suitable habitat is shifting eastward, mirroring wider climate-driven changes in river systems. "Habitat fragmentation is projected to increase—patches may rise by up to 96%—yet their overall aggregation remains stable," explained Dr Shailendra Singh, IUCN specialist group member involved in the research. "This offers some hope for connectivity and gene flow. Still, threats such as sand mining, pollution, and competition with the mugger crocodile persist. Gharials typically avoid human interaction, so increasing overlap with human-used areas—and with muggers—may heighten risks for both species. " The researchers recommend ground surveys in newly suitable zones, particularly the Brahmaputra and Mahanadi basins, prior to any reintroduction. They also advocate for designating these areas as protected zones, enhancing ecological monitoring, and partnering with local communities through awareness initiatives and compensation programs. "We've received the report and are reviewing it closely," added Anuradha Vemuri. "It will guide our next steps for gharial conservation and population growth in the state."
