Gharial numbers up, but fall in Narayani
Summary
The annual gharial census shows a rise in population overall with an increase in the Rapti river but a decline in the Narayani river, according to Chitwan National Park.
Key Points
- The gharial population increased overall with 366 counted in Narayani and Rapti rivers, compared to 352 last year.
- The Rapti river saw a rise to 231 gharials, up from 206 last year, while the Narayani river declined to 135 from 146.
- Chitwan National Park runs a gharial breeding center that helped increase gharial numbers from 80 before its establishment.
- Human activities like fishing nets and pollution threaten gharials despite legal protections and conservation efforts.
