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Crocodilians were threatened in India due to indiscriminate killing for commercial purpose and severe habitat loss until enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.1972. All three species of crocodiles (Gharial, Gavialis gangeticus; Mugger crocodile, Crocodylus palustris and Saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus in the river systems of Orissa were on the verge of extinction by the seventies. Crocodiles were very few because of ever increasing human activity in the rivers and their other traditional habitats, and consequent reduction in the extent of habitable stretches. Also, the survival rate of the crocodile hatchlings in nature is low because of predation. Piecemeal efforts were being made from the sixties onwards to save the crocodile. FAO Expert, Dr. H.R.Bustard engaged by UNDP/FAO and Government of India studied the prospects of crocodile rehabilitation, |
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and based
on his report and guidance a Crocodile Conservation Project was
launched in 1975 in different States. The Gharial and Saltwater
crocodile conservation programme was first implemented in Orissa
in early 1975 and subsequently the Mugger conservation programme
was initiated, since Orissa is having distinction for existence
of all the three species of Indian crocodilians. The funds and
technical support for the project came from UNDP/ FAO through
the Government of India. |
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| MANAGEMENT
OBJECTIVES.
The broad strategy adopted for rehabilitation of crocodiles was to protect them in their natural habitats, to rebuild the population quickly through captive breeding (rear and release), and to build up trained personnel for the job. The broad objectives of activities under crocodile project were the following. (a) To protect the remaining population of crocodilians in their natural habitat by creating sanctuaries. (b) To rebuild natural population quickly through 'grow and release' or 'rear and release' technique involving the following phases of operation. · Collection
of eggs from natural nests as soon as these were laid, (c) To promote captive breeding. (d)
To take-up research to improve management. Some of the major research
activities have been in the following directions. (e) To build up a level of trained personnel for better continuity of the project through trainings imparted at the project-sites and through the erstwhile Central Crocodile Breeding and Management Training Institute, Hyderabad. (f)
To involve the local people intimately through the following: |
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| PROJECT
SITES IN ORISSA
During 1976, survey of (i) salt-water crocodiles and (ii) Gharial crocodiles was conducted in the river system of Bhitarkanika area and in the Mahanadi, respectively. The number of salt-water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika area was estimated to be 95, including 34 adults. The number of Gharials in Mahanadi was estimated to be 8, including 4 adults. No detailed survey was, however, conducted for Mugger crocodiles at that time, although the species occurred at several places in the State. The one breeding population of Mugger known at that time was in the Balimela Dam in Koraput district. The Crocodile Project started with the objective of building the population to a stage when incidence of sighting could be 5 to 6 crocodiles per KM length of water. The Project sought to make up the natural losses by death and predation through rear and release operation. This involved collection of eggs from the nests as soon as these were laid, incubation and hatching of these eggs in hatcheries under regulated conditions of temperature and humidity, rearing the young juveniles, marking and release of the young crocodiles into Nature in protected areas, and assessment of the degree of success in restocking any protected area with crocodiles released from the hatcheries. To accomplish these tasks, 3 separate research units were established at Tikarpara, Dangmal and Ramatirtha for the Gharial, Salt Water Crocodile and the Mugger, respectively. At the Nandankanan Biological Park, captive breeding plans for all three species were pursued. |
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| 'BAULA'
PROJECT AT DANGAMAL ‘Baula’ is the Oriya term for Saltwater Crocodile. At Dangmal in Bhitarkanika sanctuary, salt-water crocodile eggs have been collected locally; and young crocodiles have been released in the creeks and the estuaries; and more than 2200 crocodiles have been released in phases since 1977. This operation has been reasonably successful and the crocodile population in the Bhitarkanika river system has gradually been built up. Above 50 released female Saltwater Crocodiles have bread successfully and are laying eggs in the wild. The annual census conducted in the river systems of Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary in Jan.2004 indicated that there were 1308 Saltwater crocodiles and the crocodile population is on increasing trend. The details about the census results are as under:
Comparison of census results (2000-2004)
Range wise crocodile number (2004)
There are 220 full grown adults among 1358 crocodiles counted; There is an increase of 3.8% over 2003-04 results; Six adults are above 18’ length. Kanika range holds 84% of the entire present population. The areas having higher concentration of crocodiles have: (I) Good mangrove cover / fringing mangrove vegetation, (ii) Less human disturbances (little or no illegal fishing activities), and (iii) A network of the river, creeks and creek lets. |
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| MUGGER
PROJECT AT RAMATIRTHA The Ramatirtha center, meant for Mugger crocodiles, initially started with eggs and juveniles of Mugger procured from Tamilnadu. Since 1984 breeding of Muggers and the release of young ones into the nature in Similipal have been carried out, and so far more than 600 crocodiles have been released in Similipal. Census was conducted to ascertain the population status of Mugger crocodiles in the prominent rivers/waterbodies inside the Similipal. The river wise census results have been indicated below. The census results indicate the followings:
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| GHARIAL
PROJECT AT TIKARPADA At Tikarpara, Gharial eggs were obtained at different points of time from Narayani and Kali rivers in Nepal and Chambal sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The eggs collected from Mahanadi were infertile. Some hatchlings of Gharial were obtained from eggs incubated in Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal and Katarniyaghat sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. All Gharials reared at Tikarpara and those produced from captive breeding at Nandankanan zoo, numbering more than 700, were released in the river Mahanadi between Boudh and Katrang. One of the assessments of the rear and release operation in respect of Gharials was made during December, 1987 - January, 1988, when only 25 Gharials were found to be surviving in the entire stretch of the river Mahanadi and down stream of Hirakud Reservoir over a length of 400 Kms. In January, 2003 census, one male and two female Gharials were sighted / counted in and outside of the sanctuary, respectively. A study was carried out to assess the reasons for poor survival of the Gharial in Mahanadi. For increasing the Gharial population to more viable levels it is absolutely essential to minimize fishing and navigation at least on certain stretches of the river. It has been under consideration to rehabilitate Gharials in Mahanadi up-stream of Hirakud reservoir, and some stretches of the river Brahmani. The census conducted in winter-2004 in the river system of Mahanadi within the limits of Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary indicated survival only one male Gharial (3-3.5m length). This Gharial was located between Binikei and Majhipada of the river Mahanadi / SatkosiaGorge.  |
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| MANAGEMENT
IN THE WILD |
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CAPTIVE
BREEDING OF CROCODILES AT NANDANKANAN Captive breeding units on all the three crocodilian species have been established at Nandankanan Zoo. Muggers bred at Nandankanan Zoo have also been released in Satkosia Gorge. Although Gharials have failed in establishing in Satkosia Gorge, Muggers have settled down well in this stretch of Mahanadi River. As per survey carried in January to March 2004 there are 64 Muggers in Mahanadi system and 83 Muggers in the rivers in Similipal. |
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| RESEARCH
AND TRAINING
In-house research has been conducted to standardise 'the rear and release' technique. Studies have been carried out to determine the appropriate method of population assessment, egg collection, egg incubation, hatching, and husbandry of the young crocodiles and various aspects of behavioural biology of the three species of crocodiles and their habitat features. The baseline data on Indian crocodilians and their management has been possible because of over 300 publications produced from these conservation projects. Training has been imparted to all field staff employed in the project to help them to discharge their duties efficiently. Local people have been trained on how to bring live food for the hatchling in the pools. The Research Officers of this organisation have availed of overseas training and have also conducted courses through the UNDP/FAO Programme. Based on their performance and contribution they have been in the steering committee and membership of the IUCN/ SSC Crocodile Specialist Group. |
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| CONTRIBUTIONS
All the three species of crocodiles have been saved from the brink of extinction, and many of their habitats have been brought under the protected area network of the State. The crocodile project that has since long come to a slow-pace in the State has contributed handsomely to develop the know-how and spreading of awareness. Future of the crocodiles can be secured with adequate protection of their habitats.
Apart from producing a large number of crocodiles in a short span,
the Crocodile Project has contributed in various ways to the entire
approach of wildlife conservation, research and training.
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