State marks 50 years of crocodile conservation initiative
1
2
3
Kendrapada: On World Crocodile Day on Tuesday, Odisha will celebrate 50 years of a pioneering programme that has become a national model for wildlife preservation. The journey began in 1975 with three distinct projects — saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, gharials in Satkosia and muggers in Similipal.
Odisha is the only state to host all three species.
"The main objective was to protect their natural habitats and boost their populations through captive breeding," said noted herpetologist Sudhakar Kar, who led the saltwater crocodile breeding programme with Australian expert H R Bustard in Bhitarkanika, India's second-largest mangrove forests.
Census data from Jan revealed there are 1,826 saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, 16 gharials in Satkosia gorge, and around 300 muggers across the state's rivers.
"This is one of India's most successful wildlife conservation stories," said Prem Kumar Jha, principal chief conservator of forests. The forest department will celebrate the golden jubilee with a weeklong series of events, including seminars, workshops, photo exhibitions and competitions.
The milestone honours the legacy of conservationists like Kar, B C Chaudhury and L A Singh. But success has brought new challenges. "We're now addressing human-crocodile conflict, especially in Bhitarkanika," Kar noted. Measures like barricades and warning systems have been implemented to ensure community safety.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Etawah celebrates 50 yrs of gharial conservation on World Crocodile Day
Kanpur: On the occasion of World Crocodile Day, Etawah district celebrated the golden jubilee of gharial conservation on Tuesday, marking 50 years since the launch of the initiative in Uttar Pradesh. The event, organised jointly by the Forest Department and the Society for Conservation of Nature (SCON), brought together forest officials, wildlife experts, educators, and conservation enthusiasts. Dr Rajeev Chauhan, General Secretary of SCON, highlighted that the gharial conservation programme was first launched in 1975. Under this initiative, eggs collected from the Chambal River in Etawah were incubated and the hatchlings were raised for three to five years at the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow before being released back into the Chambal. These efforts have led to a significant increase in the gharial population, which now stands between 2,000 and 2,500. Basrehar forest officer Amit Solanki credited the success of the programme to the collaborative efforts of forest officials, local communities, and public representatives. Forest officers Ashok Kumar Sharma (Badhpura) and Vinod Kumar (Qila Range) also shared insights into conservation and breeding efforts. 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 Nirmal Chand Bajpai, Principal of Ashram Paddati Vidyalaya, recalled that before 1975, the Chambal River saw rampant fishing and little awareness about gharials, with their population dwindling to just 200 at the time. Dr Atri Gupta, lecturer in zoology at Janta PG College, Bakewar, emphasised the gharial's evolutionary significance, noting that it is among the world's oldest surviving reptiles. Of the three crocodilian species found in India—mugger, saltwater crocodile, and gharial—two, the mugger and the gharial, are found in Etawah. All are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. She also recalled that a natural disaster in late 2007 resulted in the death of 112 rare gharials. Dr Ramjanm Singh, a member of the State Resource Group, underlined the importance of the Chambal River, known for its pristine water—ideal for gharial survival and breeding. Sanjeev Chauhan, District Programme Officer of Namami Gange, noted that World Crocodile Day, observed globally on June 17, aims to raise awareness about crocodile conservation and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Week-long celebration in Odisha as crocodile conservation turns 50
KENDRAPARA: Come Tuesday, Odisha will commemorate 50 years of its pioneering crocodile conservation projects on World Crocodile Day. In 1975, three conservation projects were launched in the state for as many species - salt-water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, gharials in Satkosia and muggar in Similipal. These initiatives have gone on to transform reptile conservation in the country. 'The main objective of the crocodile conservation project was to protect their natural habitats and rebuild the population quickly through captive breeding,' said Dr Sudhakar Kar, noted herpetologist and former wildlife researcher of the Forest department. Over five decades, these initiatives have become one of India's most successful wildlife conservation programmes. 'We are happy for the success for which Forest department has decided to celebrate 50th anniversary of Crocodile Conservation Project in the state on June 17 by organising week-long meetings, seminars, workshops, photo exhibitions, quiz and painting competitions,' said principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife Prem Kumar Jha. Dr Kar began saltwater crocodile breeding and rearing work in Bhitarkanika in 1975 alongside noted Australian herpetologist Dr H R Bustard. He is continuing his pioneering work even 13 years after retirement. Expressing concern over the increasing human-crocodile conflict in Bhitarkanika, he said forest officials have warned riverside villagers not to venture into creeks and rivers and erected barricades at several ghats to prevent attacks. As per the latest census report, Satkosia gorge is home to 16 gharials, 1,826 salt-water crocodiles reside in Bhitarkanika National Park and around 300 muggers live in the rivers of the state.
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- The Hindu
World Crocodile Day: Appraising 50 years of Crocodile Conservation in India
India began its Crocodile Conservation programme in 1975, and this year marks 50 years of this initiative, one that has been more successful than most. India is home to three main kinds of crocodile species – the gharial, the salt water crocodile or salties, and the muggers. These species face increasing threats from habitat loss, poachers, pollution, riparian agriculture, artificial embankments, construction of barrages and dams, and illegal sand-mining. On this World Crocodile Day, which falls on June 17, we look back at 50 years of crocodile conservation, the status of these endangered species as of today, and what is in store with the recent launch of the New Gharial Project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Guest: Professor B.C. Choudhury, eminent wildlife scientist who has worked on crocodile conservation since 1975. Host: G Sampath Edited by Jude Francis Weston Listen to more In Focus podcasts:
