Along the quiet bends of the Chambal River, gentle ripples now carry the sound of chirping hatchlings. The sandy banks have come alive again with baby gharials taking their first steps.
Thousands of Hatchlings Emerge
The hatching of the endangered gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) is underway along the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border. Their artificial breeding is being led by the Deori Gharial Breeding Centre in Morena, under the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.
Deepak Kumar Meena, a ranger at the sanctuary, confirmed the birth of nearly 1,500 baby gharials. “We placed eggs across multiple sites, including Shankarpura and Basai Dang in Dholpur,” he said. “Now, baby gharials have started appearing near the riverbanks.”
A rare sight has delighted forest staff — mother gharials guarding their young ones. Rangers and guards are closely monitoring the babies’ well-being along the Chambal Ghats.
Breeding Centre Plays Vital Role
Each year between May 15 and 19, around 200 eggs are collected from natural nesting spots. They are incubated at the Deori centre, where temperatures are kept between 30°C and 35°C.
“This year, 195 out of 200 eggs hatched successfully,” said Jyoti Dandotia, who manages the centre. “Newborns are kept in quarantine for 15 days, with chemical baths to avoid infections.”
The hatchlings survive on leftover yolk and are not fed during this time. They remain at the centre until they reach 1.2 metres in length, after which they are released into the river.
Threats to Survival Still Loom
Despite all efforts, survival in the wild remains uncertain. Experts say that only 1–2% of gharial hatchlings survive natural conditions. Abrupt water level increases, powerful river currents, and predators like birds and crocodiles are constant threats.
The Chambal River remains a lifeline for these ancient reptiles. Notified as a sanctuary in 1978, it is now a haven for species like crocodiles, dolphins, turtles, and gharials.
Experts say the gharial population has improved since the late 1970s. From just 46 recorded gharials during a 1975–77 survey, numbers have grown steadily with conservation efforts. Today, the river supports around 1,000 crocodiles and 95 dolphins alongside the gharials — a testament to years of patient protection.
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