Along the Chambal River, a precious natural event unfolds — more than 1,500 baby gharials (fish-eating crocodiles), one of India's most endangered reptiles, have hatched.
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These eggs, nurtured in the sands of the Chambal, are the result of the meticulous conservation efforts of the reptile, whose existence has been threatened by human activities.
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The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary has overseen this project. Gharials, recognised by their elongated snouts and numerous teeth, are distinct from crocodiles, specialising in fishing and known for their shyness and grace.
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This success story comes from the targeted conservation efforts, by the forest department personnel and wildlife experts to protect the critical breeding site along the river.
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Female gharials lay eggs meticulously in the sandy banks — too close to the water, they risk flooding; too far, overheating. Rangers help protect these precarious nests.
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Usually left undisturbed, some eggs are occasionally relocated to semi-natural hatcheries if weather conditions or poaching risks are high.
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As monsoon approaches, a wave of hatchlings bursts forth. Once the baby gharials hatch, they are placed under quarantine for fifteen days to protect them from infections.
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During this period, they are given a chemical bath as part of their care. Once the baby gharials hatch, they are placed under quarantine for 15 days to protect them from infections.
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Interestingly, the young gharials do not need to be fed during quarantine. They survive by absorbing the remaining nutrients from the yolk. They are kept at the centre until they grow to a length of one point two metres. After reaching this size, they are released into the river.
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Chambal, declared a sanctuary in 1979, not only provides refuge to gharials but also to other rare species like the Gangetic dolphins and Indian skimmers
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Despite the sanctuary status, threats like illegal sand mining endanger these crucial habitats. Many of their natural habitats have been lost to dam construction, sand mining, and increasing competition for water resources.
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Currently, the river is home to nearly 1,000 crocodiles, 95 dolphins, and hundreds of turtles, alongside the gharial population
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