EIGHTY ONE GHARIAL CROCODILES FOUND IN NEPAL

A study on population status and distribution of Gharial Gavialis gangeticus in Nepal was commissioned by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and WWF Nepal in January-February 2008 aiming at updating the existing status and distribution pattern of gharial and also assessing the threats in gharial conservation in Nepal. Empirical data were collected from direct count using opportunistic search method and questionnaire survey from Koshi River of eastern Nepal, Narayani and Rapti of central Nepal and Karnali and Babai rivers of western Nepal. The census estimated a total of 81 gharial in Nepal. Out of total gharial recorded during the census, 70 were directly recorded and 11 were based on indirect counts. It revealed that 41 gharial have been sighted in 102.5 km stretch of Narayani river from Devghat to Triveni. It recorded 24 gharials in 50.92 km stretch of Rapti river from Khagendramalli to Narayani-Rapti confluence. Six and ten gharials were recorded respectively from 53.76 km stretch of Karnali river and 39.52 km stretch of Babai river from Chepang to Parewaodar. Census conducted in 38.9 km stretch of Koshi river from Chatahara to Koshi Barrage could not detected any gharial and their signs. Only 27 of the total population is adult breeding population. Age and sex of 11% individuals could not be detected. The sex ratio of chitwan population was found to be 1 male to 6 female. Nepal started captive breeding program of Gharial in 1978 aiming at rehabilitating the wild population through egg collection, captive rearing and release of young into natural river systems of protected areas. There are two Gharial breeding centres in Kasara of Chitwan National Park and Thakurdwara of Bardia National Park. Since 1981 to 2007, 691 gharials have been released in different river systems. Out of 691, 339 were released in Narayani, 99 in Rapti, 85 in Koshi, 50 in Babai, 35 in Kali Gandaki and 23 in Karnali river. In Nepal, the Gharial is listed as protected animal under National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, as critically endangered in IUCN Red Data Book, and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Gharial faces many threats due to flooding and dam construction in rivers, habitat destruction and decline in food quality and quantity. Over fishing, use of gill nets and river poisoning compounded the problem manifold. Gharial is the only surviving member of Gavialidae family. It mostly inhabits large bodied, deep, fast flowing rivers in the plain.

(Source: Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forestry and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal, photo-gharials in river Girwa, Katerniaghat)