This initiative reinforces the state’s leadership in gharial conservation, as MP hosts over 80% of India’s gharial population.

About Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus)

• Gharials are endemic (native to Indian subcontinent) long-snouted crocodiles. 
• Name comes from 'ghara' (pot) due to the bulbous growth on the snouts. Only mature males have this bulb.
• Conservation status: - IUCN: Critically Endangered; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I; CITES:  Appendix I.
• Habitat: Freshwater rivers with sandy banks.
• Historical Range: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi-Brahmani-Baitrani River systems across India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
• Current Range: Primarily Chambal, Girwa (India), and Rapti-Naryani (Nepal) rivers and smaller populations in Ken, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Ghaghara, and Bhagirathi-Hoogly rivers. 

Threats:

• Habitat destruction due to agricultural and industrial expansion, along with plastic pollution.
• Entanglement and drowning in fishing equipment.
• Egg predation, illegal poaching for skin and meat, and use of body parts in medicine.

Conservation Efforts:

• Captive Breeding & Reintroduction: Breeding centres including the Deori Gharial Breeding Center (MP), Kukrail Rehabilitation Centre (Lucknow). Gandak River in Bihar is a successful breeding site for gharials.
• National Chambal Sanctuary: Largest gharial habitat.
• Project Crocodile was started in 1975.