PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
The Corbett Tiger Reserve is now stepping up conservation efforts for gharials along with tigers. Notably, a special scientific research project has been launched in Corbett with the support of the Government of India and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The project, which will continue for about two and a half years, will focus on studying the habitat, population and nesting sites of the critically endangered gharial, senior Corbett officials informed.
Speaking of the project, the director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Saket Badola said that Corbett is known for its rich biodiversity, with tigers, leopards, elephants, bears and several species of deer, besides more than 500 species of birds. “The new scientific study aims to strengthen efforts to protect gharials found in the rivers and water bodies of the reserve,” he added.
He further said that the main objective of the project is to map the natural habitats of gharials, assess their actual population and identify nesting sites where they lay eggs. “The study will also examine the locations where gharials breed and identify threats to their nesting sites. Based on the findings, measures will be suggested to protect these sites. This is expected to help safeguard gharial breeding grounds as well as their natural habitat,” he stated.
According to Badola, a recent survey recorded around 150 to 200 gharials in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, including males, females and juveniles. The latest available figures also indicate the presence of 197 mugger crocodiles, 183 gharials and 161 otters in the Corbett landscape, highlighting its rich aquatic biodiversity.
As per the Forest officials, the first survey under the project has already been completed before the monsoon. A second survey will be conducted after the rainy season. The research will continue for around two to two and a half years, during which detailed data will be collected on the gharial population, their habitats and breeding sites.
The Ramganga river, flowing through the core area of Corbett, is an important natural habitat for gharials, mugger crocodiles and otters. The scientific study is therefore expected to provide valuable inputs not only for gharial conservation in Corbett but also for strengthening future strategies for protecting aquatic biodiversity and endangered species in the country.
