About National Chambal Sanctuary

Why in News?

• A proposal in this regard was recently sent to the state government by the deputy conservator of forest (wildlife) of the National Chambal Sanctuary project.

About National Chambal Sanctuary:

• National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400 sq . km tri-state protected riverine sanctuary along 425 km length of the Chambal River and ravines.
• Location: It lies at the tri-junction of three states Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• The main focus of the sanctuary is to protect the critically endangered Gharial, Red-crowned roof turtle & endangered Ganges dolphin.
• Chambal supports the largest population of Gharials in the wild.
• It is listed as an important bird area (IBA).
• Topography: The topography is full of ravines, hills & sandy beaches.
• Vegetation: It is part of the Kathiar-Gir dry deciduous forest ecoregion.
• Other Fauna:
  • Other animals which are also in the Threatened category like mugger crocodile, smooth-coated otters, Striped Hyena & Indian wolfs are also found here.
  • Chambal River support 8 out of 26 rare species of turtle family like Indian narrow-headed soft shell turtle, three- striped roof turtle & crowned river turtle. 
  • Mammals are also seen, which include Sambhar deer, Neel Gai (blue bull), Indian gazelle, Rhesus Monkey, Hanuman Langur, Indian grey & small Asian mongoose, Bengal Fox etc.

Key facts about the Chambal River:

• It is one of the tributaries of the Yamuna River and the most pollution-free river in India.
• It originates at the Singar Chouri peak on the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains.
• On its south, east and west, the basin is bounded by the Vindhyan mountain ranges and on the northwest by the Aravallis.
• The Hadauti plateau in Rajasthan occurs in the upper catchment of the Chambal River to the southeast of the Mewar Plains.
• Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, Parbati, etc.
• Major Dams on the River: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam.

Q1) What are Gharials?

They are fresh-water crocodiles. They live in deep fast-flowing rivers. Compared to alligators and crocodiles, a gharial has a very long and narrow snout (instead of a broad snout). Globally Gharial is found only in India and Nepal. In India too, the major ‘breeding’ populations are confined to two rivers only: 

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• Girwa : The Girwa River originates in Nepal and runs through Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Chambal : Chambal supports the largest population of Gharials in the wild. 

Source: Uttar Pradesh: Chambal river to have dolphin sanctuary soon