A close-up portrait of a gharial crocodile, showing its distinctive long, narrow snout and sharp teeth, basking on a riverbank in India, with a soft morning light filtering through the mist, photorealistic, wildlife photography.
A close-up portrait of a gharial crocodile, showing its distinctive long, narrow snout and sharp teeth, basking on a riverbank in India, with a soft morning light filtering through the mist, photorealistic, wildlife photography.

The Gharial: A Critically Endangered Crocodilian of India and Nepal

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered crocodilian native to India and Nepal, has been the focus of intensified conservation efforts in recent years. These initiatives aim to bolster its dwindling population and address the challenges threatening its survival.

Physical Characteristics and Habitat

The gharial is easily distinguished from other crocodilians by its long, slender snout filled with numerous sharp teeth - an adaptation perfectly suited for catching fish, its primary food source. Adult males develop a distinctive bulbous growth at the end of their snout called a "ghara" (Hindi for "pot"), which gives the species its name. This structure serves as a vocal resonator and visual signal during courtship displays.

Gharials are primarily river-dwelling creatures, preferring deep, fast-flowing rivers with clean water and sandy banks for basking and nesting. Their historical range once extended throughout the major river systems of the Indian subcontinent, but today they are largely confined to protected areas in northern India and Nepal.

Conservation Initiatives

Translocation Efforts


In March 2024, 25 gharials were relocated from Chitwan National Park's breeding center to the Chaudhar River in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal. This move was part of a broader strategy to establish new populations in suitable habitats.

Breeding and Release Programs


The Chitwan National Park has been proactive in breeding gharials, releasing 133 individuals into the Rapti River over the last fiscal year. Despite these efforts, the survival rate in the wild remains a concern, with a census indicating only 352 gharials in the Rapti and Narayani rivers combined.

Natural Nesting Success


A positive development was observed in the Geruwa River within Bardiya National Park, where 28 gharial hatchlings were spotted in July 2025. This marked the first natural nesting in the area in nearly two decades, signaling potential habitat suitability and successful conservation measures.

Challenges to Conservation

Human Activities


The use of fishing nets poses a significant threat. In June 2023, a male gharial was found dead in the Budhi Rapti stream, its snout trapped by a fishing net and abdomen punctured by a hook. Such incidents underscore the dangers of unregulated fishing practices.

Predation


In a rare event in March 2023, a tiger killed a female gharial in Chitwan, highlighting the complex interactions between species and the challenges in ensuring the safety of reintroduced populations.

Habitat Degradation


The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the gharial as "Critically Depleted" in its first 'Green Status' assessment in October 2025. The report emphasized the need for restoring undammed river stretches and protecting existing habitats to ensure the species' survival.

Conservation Outlook

While concerted efforts in breeding, translocation, and habitat protection have been implemented, the gharial's future remains precarious. Addressing human-induced threats, ensuring sustainable habitats, and fostering community involvement are crucial for the long-term survival of this unique species in India and Nepal.

The prompt for this was: The Gharial is a critically endangered crocodilian, typically found in India & Nepal

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