India launched its Crocodile Conservation Project in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park in 1975 with the assistance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Crocodiles
Crocodiles are largest surviving species of the vertebrate class Reptilia.
Habitat: Except for one saltwater species, crocodiles live mainly in freshwater swamps, lakes and rivers.
Behaviour: Nocturnal animals and are poikilothermic (regulate their body temperature only to limited degree).
There are three main species of crocodiles in India (see table).
Major threats: Habitat destruction, egg predation, illegal poaching, dam construction, sand mining etc.
Species
Description
Natural Habitat
Estuarine or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Largest living reptile on earth.
IUCN: Least Concern
Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA)
CITES:Appendix I
Found in only three locations: Bhitarkanika, Sundarbans and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Mugger or marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)
Broad snouts, dig burrows or holes for nesting purposes.
IUCN: Vulnerable
Schedule I of WPA
CITES: Appendix I
It is present in 15 of India's states including much of the Ganga River drainage.
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
Named Gharial due to a bulbous knob at the end of their long narrow snout.
Primarily eats fish.
IUCN: Critically Endangered
Schedule I of WPA
CITES: Appendix I
Inhabit freshwater rivers: Chambal, Girwa, Ghagra, Son and Gandak.
Bhitarkanika National Park
Located in Odisha, it is India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans.
It is a Ramsar site.
It is essentially a network of creeks and canals which are inundated with waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala.
Home to largest congregation of Saltwater Crocodile along with water monitor lizard, pythons, hyenas etc.
