50 years of Crocodile Conservation Project ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

On the day before World Crocodile Day (June 17), India marked the 50th anniversary of its Crocodile Conservation Project.

About Crocodile Conservation Project

Project Launch: Initiated in April 1975 following the advice of H.R. Bustard.
 Objective: To safeguard the natural habitats of crocodiles and rapidly increase their numbers through captive breeding.

Crocodile Conservation Success in India

Odisha is the sole state with conservation centres for all three native crocodilian species: Tikarpada (Satkosia) for gharials, Dangamal (Bhitarkanika) for saltwater crocodiles, and Ramatirtha (Similipal) for mugger crocodiles.
 Saltwater Crocodile & Mugger Recovery:
      ○ The saltwater crocodile population has recovered to approximately 2,500 individuals.
      ○ The mugger crocodile population has rebounded to 8,000–10,000 individuals, reclaiming most of its historical range, particularly the Ganga River drainage.
 Gharial Conservation: Efforts are concentrated in the National Chambal Sanctuary (covering Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh), Katarnia Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh), Gandak River, Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand), and Son Gharial Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
 India now holds 80% of the global wild gharial population.

Ongoing Conservation Efforts:

The Gharial Conservation Project (2025) is focused on increasing the gharial populations in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers, along with the Mahanadi in Odisha. The Madras Crocodile Bank is involved in breeding crocodiles and aiding in their reintroduction programmes.

Crocodile Found in India

Saltwater Crocodile (also known as the Estuarine Crocodile) (Crocodylus porosus), Marsh Crocodile (referred to as Muggar or Broad-snouted Crocodile) (Crocodylus palustris), and Gharial (commonly called the Fish Eating Crocodile, Indian Gavial, Gavial, or Long Nosed Crocodile) (Gavialis gangeticus).
 Characteristics
 These are nocturnal animals and are poikilothermic, meaning they can regulate their body temperature only to a limited extent. There are 13 different crocodile species, with 3 native to India:
  ● Saltwater Crocodile: Known as the largest crocodile and the largest living vertebrate-class reptile on Earth, it possesses the strongest bite force of any living animal.  
  ● Muggers: Notable for using 'tools', such as balancing sticks on their heads to lure birds seeking nesting material. They are the only Indian species that dig burrows on land to escape extreme temperatures.  
  ● Gharial: Adult males have a bulb-like structure on the snout tip called GHARA, which acts as a resonator to produce loud buzzing noises and blow bubbles to attract females. They are expert fish catchers and have the thinnest and most elongated snout among crocodilians. They are the only visibly sexually dimorphic crocodilian.  
 Habitat
  ● Saltwater Crocodile: Found in brackish water, mangrove swamps, estuaries, and coastal waters. Major habitats include Bhitarkanika in Odisha (largest share), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Sundarbans (West Bengal).  
  ● Muggers: Inhabit freshwater habitats like lakes, rivers, and slow-moving streams.  
  ● Gharial: Reside in deep, clear, fast-flowing freshwater rivers with high sandbanks for nesting. Locations include Nepal's Rapti-Narayani River and several Indian rivers such as the Girwa (UP), Son (MP), Ramganga (Uttarakhand), Gandak (Bihar), Chambal (UP, MP, Rajasthan), and Mahanadi (Odisha).