Gharial returns to Devghat after three decades
Summary
A critically endangered gharial crocodile has been spotted near Devghat after nearly three decades, signaling potential recovery of the species in the Narayani river area.
Key Points
- A gharial, a critically endangered crocodile species, has been sighted near Devghat after about 30 years.
- Gharials are indicators of river health but face threats from pollution, declining fish stocks, and habitat disturbance.
- Chitwan National Park leads gharial conservation efforts through a breeding centre established in 1978.
- Despite releasing over 2,275 gharials, survival rates in the wild remain low, and conservation challenges persist, including fishing nets and habitat extraction.
