Odisha’s Kendrapara district has recently made headlines as the sole district in India to provide shelter to all three crocodile species – salt-water, gharial and mugger. Here’s an exploration of each species, their characteristics, habitats, threats they face, protection status, and conservation efforts put forth.
Mugger or Marsh Crocodile: Characteristics and Habitat
The Mugger or Marsh Crocodile is an egg-laying and hole-nesting species that can pose potential danger. They are primarily restricted to the Indian subcontinent, inhabiting a variety of freshwater environments. Coastal saltwater lagoons and estuaries are also part of their diverse habitat repertoire. Unfortunately, this species is now extinct in Bhutan and Myanmar.
Mugger: Threats and Protection Status
The existence of the Muggers is threatened by several activities such as habitat destruction, fragmentation, transformation, fishing activities, and the use of crocodile parts for medicinal purposes. In order to protect them, they have been categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN List of Threatened Species and have been included under Appendix I of CITES. In India, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, places them under Schedule I.
Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile: Traits and Areas of Residence
Known globally for being the largest living crocodile species and infamous as a maneater is the Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile. Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha, the Sundarbans in West Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands serve as their natural habitats within India. They are also prevalent across Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
Saltwater Crocodile: Dangers and Conservation Measures
Saltwater crocodiles are under threat due to illegal hunting, habitat loss, and overall aversion because of their maneater reputation. Despite these threats, they come under the Least Concern category on the IUCN List of Threatened Species. The CITES lists them in Appendix I, with exceptions for populations in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, which are listed in Appendix II. India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, places them under Schedule I.
Gharial: Distinct Features and Living Spaces
Gharials, sometimes referred to as gavials due to their pot-like (ghara in Hindi) long, thin snouts, predominantly inhabit the freshwater regions of the Himalayan rivers. Gharials are considered relatively harmless, feeding mainly on fish, and their population is a good health indicator of clean river waters. Primary habitats include the Chambal river in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains, while the Ghagra, Gandak, Girwa, Ramganga, and Sone rivers serve as secondary habitats.
Gharial: Challenges to Survival and Protective Steps
The Gharial species is critically endangered because of illegal sand mining, poaching, increasing river pollution, dam construction, large-scale fishing operations, and floods. They are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, included in Appendix I of CITES, and are protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Conservation Efforts for Crocodile Species
In an effort to conserve these fascinating creatures, Odisha’s government has announced a cash reward of Rs. 1,000 to stimulate gharial conservation in the Mahanadi River Basin. Additionally, the Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in multiple states in 1975, marking a significant plan to protect and revive their populations.