Gharial

IN NEWS:

• Amid the nationwide lockdown, 40 gharials were released in the Ghaghara river in Uttar Pradesh in the first week of May.

GHARIALS:

• Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
• They live in clear freshwater river systems
• Once found from Pakistan to Myanmar, the reptile's range has shrunk to two countries:
  1. India: along the Chambal, Girwa and Son Rivers
  2. Nepal: along the Narayani River
• The IUCN classifies the species as critically endangered. The Indian government has granted the species full protection by listing it in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• National Chambal Sanctuary along the river Chambal in Madhya Pradesh is the longest protected area of the species.

GHAGHARA RIVER:

• It is a major left-bank tributary of the Ganges River. With a length of 507 kms, it is the longest river in Nepal.
• It rises as the Karnali River near the Mansarovar Lake and joins the Sharda River at Brahmaghat in India.
• It flows southeast through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and joins the Ganges near the town of Chhapra in Bihar.

PRELIMS QUESTION:

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Gharials:

1. They are endemic to the Indian Subcontinent
2. They are classified as Critically endangered in the IUCN list

Choose the correct statements from the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims question

Source: Down To Earth