Context:
Recently, India celebrated the 50th year of India’s Crocodile conservation project and World Crocodile Day on June 17th.
More on the news
- In 1975, just three years after the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972, crocodilians in India were nearly extinct due to commercial hunting and habitat loss.
- Today, Bhitarkanika is home to 1,811 saltwater crocodiles, according to this year’s reptile census. However, the Human-crocodile conflict in Bhitarkanika is a cause of concern.
About Crocodile conservation project:
- India launched the Crocodile Conservation Project in 1975 in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park in collaboration with the United Nations.
- The primary goal of the crocodile conservation project was to protect their natural habitats and rapidly revive their populations through captive breeding due to the low survival rate of hatchlings in the wild caused by predation.
- Under the guidance of renowned Australian herpetologist and FAO expert HR Bustard, breeding and rearing centres for saltwater crocodiles, muggers, and gharials were established in 34 locations across West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and other states
Bhitarkanika National Park
- It is a 145 km² large national park in Kendrapara district of Odisha.
- It was designated on 16 September 1998 and obtained the status of a Ramsar site on 19 August 2002. It was designated as the second Ramsar site of the State after Chilika Lake.
- It is one of the largest Mangrove ecosystems in India.
- The park also hosts the largest colony of Olive Ridley sea turtles at Gahirmatha Beach, which marks its eastern boundary.
World Crocodile Day
- June 17 marks World Crocodile Day, an occasion dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about one of the world’s most formidable reptiles.
About Crocodile
- The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the mugger or marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) are India’s three main species of crocodilians.
- This family consists of 24 species and includes ‘true crocodiles’, alligators, caiman and the gharial.
Estuarine or Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
- It is found in only three locations in the country today: Bhitarkanika, the Sundarbans and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- It is considered the largest of the living crocodilians, with reported lengths of up to 6-7 m.
- Its IUCN conservation status is Least Concern, and it is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA)
- CITES: Appendix I, except for the populations of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, which are included in Appendix II
Mugger or marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)
- The Mugger is a medium-sized crocodile (maximum length 4-5 m) and has the broadest snout of any living member of the genus Crocodylus.
- The mugger is a hole-nesting species, with egg-laying taking place during the annual dry season.
- It can even be found in coastal saltwater lagoons and estuaries.
- Its IUCN conservation status is Vulnerable and listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA)
- CITES: Appendix I
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
- lt is characterised by its extremely long, thin jaws, regarded as an adaptation to a predominantly fish diet.
- Adult males grow a bulbous nasal appendage, which resembles an Indian pot called a ‘ghara’, from which the species derives its name.
- Its IUCN conservation status is critically endangered and listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA).
- CITES: Appendix I