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The Gharial Expedition December 2009, National Chambal Sanctuary, Rajasthan

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CONTENTS Page

Acknowledgements…...……………………………………………………………………........2

Summary………………………………………………………………………………………...3

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………..4

Description of study area…………………………………........................................................ 5

Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………..7

Methodology………………………………………………………………………….................8

Results…………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Discussion…………………………………………………………………………….................15

Fauna and Flora Report……………………………………………………………………….18

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………....21

Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………..22

Funding, Budget & Support…………………………………………………………………...29

Plates…………………………………………………………………………………………….31

References…………………………………………………………………………….................37


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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the help and support of everyone involved in the completion of this project. We thank

our porters and field assistants; Bharatlal Gurjar, Radheshyam Gurjar, Ramswaroop Gurjar, Kamlesh

Gurjar and Gorelal Meena for their hard work and assistance. Mr.Chandraprakash Sharma and Brijender

for hospitality during our stay at Sawai Madhopur.

We thank Mr.Gaurav Kataria-The wildlife Travels (New Delhi), Mr.Giri Cavale and Mr.Gopakumar for

their generous contribution towards the expedition. We also acknowledge the contributions of Mr.Girish

Kamath & Mrs.Anuradha Kamath, Mrs.Navina Ponnappa and Mr.Siddarth Reddy. We extend gratitude

towards WIRON marketing and Wirelite India for monetary support, Mr.Shardul Bajikar for aiding us

with Petzl field equipment.

We thank Dr. Dharmendra Khandal, Conservation Biologist, Tiger Watch, Mr. R.K. Chourey, Tiger

Watch Associate and Mr.Rajeev Singh, Accounts manager, Tiger Watch, for helping us with logistics and

managing funds. We also wish to thank Mr.B.C Choudhury for his able guidance. We remain grateful to

Mr.Balendu Singh (Hotel Dev Vilas, Ranthambhore) and Mr. Nagendra Singh Hada (Taj Sawai

Madhopur Lodge) for their encouragement and support.


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Summary

The Gharial Expedition is a survey done along the Chambal River to document Gharial populations in

one segment from the Rajasthan side of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The Chambal River is a

tributary of the Yamuna River, flowing through the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar

Pradesh in central India. Following a mass death of Gharials during the winter of 2007, an ‘expedition’

was launched by the organization Tiger Watch, Ranthambhore. The segment surveyed during

the expedition is the first 110 kilometres from Pali heading downstream towards a village called Khirkan.

The expedition in discussion was the third of its kind after two previous surveys done in January 2008

and then in December 2008.

The first Gharial Expedition was carried out in January 2008. Documentation of high population areas,

evident threats to the Gharial, human interference and also a checklist of all other fauna in the study area

formed a part of the expedition. The expedition ended with a total count of 82 Gharials.

The second Gharial Expedition took place in December 2008. The team surveyed the same stretch of the

river and recorded Gharial numbers. This time, importance was given to documentation of habitat

destruction and quantification of the threats. The expedition ended with a total count of 124 Gharials,

including one dead specimen. The dead Gharial, caught in a fish net, was the first death reported from the

Rajasthan side of the river.

The present survey was carried out by a six member team in the specific stretch of 110 kilometres over 11

days in December 2009. The documentation involved Gharial and Mugger numbers, quantification of

threats, assessing land use patterns along the banks, recording the flora of the area and collection of data

with respect to the socio-economic aspects of villages along the Rajasthan bank. The expedition ended

with a total count of 122 Gharials, 103 Muggers and 1 dead Mugger.


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Introduction

The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) Gmelin 1789, or the Long-snouted Crocodile, is a fresh-water

Crocodile that is one of only two surviving species of the Gavialidae family. Its Latin name, Gavialis

gangeticus means, Gavial of the Ganga. The Gharial gets its name from the Hindi word ‘ghara’ meaning

pot or vessel. The adult male Gharials possess this protuberance at the tip of their long snouts and it

resembles an inverted pot. Only the adult males have the 'ghara'. Thus, Gharials are the only crocodiles

that show sexual dimorphism.

The Gharial is a primarily fish-eating Crocodile with a slender snout specialized for preying and feeding

exclusively on fish. It has numerous sharp teeth that intersect at the end of the snout so as to trap the fish

and not let it slip away. The mating season is during the months of November, December and January.

Through the summer months of March, April and May, the females come onto the sand banks and islands

for nesting. This is because it is during the dry season that the rivers shrink and the sandy river banks are

available for nesting. After around three months, juveniles emerge. Parental care by the female has been

observed for the first few days after birth.

Gharials are known to prefer calm and quiet areas of fast flowing rivers. It is the longest living

Crocodilian species with the second longest life span after the Estuarine crocodile. The Gharial shares

much importance in Indian mythology and has been depicted as the holy 'vehicle' of goddess Ganga.

The is endemic to the Indian subcontinent occurring in the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and the

Mahanadi river systems (Smith, 1939; Singh, 1978; Groombridge, 1987; Whitaker, 1987; Hussain,1991,

1999). It is believed that the gharial is now extinct in Myanmar, Bhutan and Pakistan. In Bangladesh,

fewer than 20 individuals may be present (Groombridge, 1987). The IUCN [International Union for

Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources], publishes a Red Data Book that enlists the world’s most

Endangered wild animals. The Gharial has been given the status of Critically Endangered, meaning that

their numbers in the wild are below 1200 individuals. The number of wild breeding Gharials left in the

world today, is said to be less than 250.

Although there was steady increase in gharial populations till 1997 (Sharma, 1999), 1999 onwards the

population has shown a dramatic decline throughout its entire range. There were 436 breeding adults in

1997 but by 2006 this number had declined to just 182, a reduction of 58% over the last 10 years (IUCN,

2007). The total breeding population of gharial is now estimated to be less than 200 individuals making

gharial a critically endangered species (IUCN, 2007). Such a drastic decline within the last decade is

largely the result of anthropogenic pressures such as reduction in the availability of nesting beaches,

encroachment on river banks for agriculture, construction of dams and barrages, reduction in water flow,

siltation, channelization, and modification of river morphology by development activities and increased

mortality in fishing nets (Hussain, 1999; IUCN, 2007).

A crisis situation was declared in January 2008 after a mass death of around 111 gharials in the National

Chambal Sanctuary. This sudden drop in gharial numbers upgraded their status from ‘Endangered’ to

‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List. Although the actual cause of these mortalities remains

under varied speculation, most fingers point at pollution in the river water flowing from the Yamuna.

Gharials feeding on fish contaminated by toxins and heavy metal deposits from the Yamuna, leading to

biomagnification and further resulting in the death of these animals is said to be a high possibility.

The last stronghold for Gharials is the Chambal River, which is home to 68% of the world’s wild gharial

population.


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Description of Study Area

The Chambal River is perennial, having its origin in the Vindhya Range near Mhow district of Madhya

Pradesh, as a large catchment in the Malwa plateau. It flows in a North-eastern direction, passing through

Rajasthan up to the point where its major tributary Parbati joins it near Pali. Thereafter it flows in an

eastern direction, forming the boundary of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Further, it forms the border

between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh up to the confluence of Chambal and Yamuna near Etawah

in Uttar Pradesh. Three major tributaries join the Chambal, viz. Parbati, Kali Sindh and Banas. A series

of multipurpose dams [Gandhi Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, Rana Pratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar in

Rajasthan] and a barrage [at Kota, Rajasthan] have been erected in the upper reaches of the river.

The Chambal is one of the cleanest rivers in India. There are few factories or industries around the

Chambal that release their waste and effluents in the Chambal, thus saving it from extensive pollution. It

therefore harbours a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The National Chambal (Gharial) Sanctuary was

founded in the year 1979 with the Gharial as the flagship species. It is part of a large area of 5,400 km²

co-administered by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments. Approximately 400 km

of the river lies within the reserve. A part of the river also comes under the jurisdiction of Ranthambhore

National Park and Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary on the Rajasthan side.

Fig.1 Map of River Chambal, highlighting the National Chambal Sanctuary


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Lined on either side by undulating ravines, the banks of the river show a multitude of habitats. It is in this

wild haven that many rare animals, some endemic to India, thrive. Sand banks, Pebble banks, Rocks,

Boulders and Ravines spread across the banks along the entire stretch of the river, heavily interspersed by

large agricultural lands. The agricultural crops include Sarson [Mustard], Gehun [Wheat], Tur/Arahar

[Yellow lentils], Channa [Bengal Gram] and other vegetables.

The riverine ecosystem of Chambal is home to an array of species ranging from Water skaters and Diving

Beetles, to the two species of Crocodiles, which live in harmony with Turtles and Fish of many varied

sizes. The other crocodile in the Chambal apart from the Gharial, is the Mugger- commonly called the

Marsh Crocodile. The river is guarded by ravines on its banks on either side, which act as natural barriers

to the flood waters of the river in the monsoon. The ravines have twisting winding pathways, with loose

soil, rocky areas and thorny vegetation. These winding pathways help in preventing the flood water

during monsoon from reaching the villages nestled on the other side of the ravines, and thus help the

village inhabitants, as well as the terrestrial and aquatic fauna.

The ravines are as important as the river itself in terms of habitat viability for wildlife. A variety of

Canids like the Indian Wolf Canis indicus, Jackal Canis aureus, Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis, and

Desert Fox Vulpes vulpes pusilla find abode in these ravines. The Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena can be

seen very frequently after twilight with the Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus also occupying this diverse

ecosystem along with other carnivores.


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Objectives

As a third of its kind expedition, the present survey also aimed at achieving certain objectives following

the previous surveys. Importance, however, was given to gathering information to be able to draw a

comparative account from three years of collected data and further deducing conclusive results. The

following were the objectives of the survey in discussion:

To survey a stretch of approximately 110 kms along the Chambal River, downstream from Pali

village to Khirkan village over 11 days; dividing the entire sample area into 10 segments based

on the adjacent villages on the Rajasthan banks of the river.

To record the number of Gharials and Muggers in each segment to draw comparisons with data

from previous expeditions and to monitor increase/decrease/shift of gharial numbers in pre-

recorded High Population Recorded Areas [HPRAs].

To quantify the direct threats such as fishing and sand/stone mining; and indirect threats such as

agriculture and flattening of ravines.

To assess the habitat and land use patterns along the banks of the river to estimate the extent of

natural habitat destruction.

To document aspects related to Socio-economic status of select villages and examining the

attitude of villagers towards the Gharial, along the Rajasthan side of the river.

To study the floral diversity in the specific stretch.

To record sightings and locations of other threatened fauna found in the river, such as, the

Smooth Coated Otter, Gangetic River Dolphin, Indian Skimmer etc.


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Methodology

The survey area is the first 110 kms of the National Chambal Sanctuary, between village Pali and village

Khirkan. The entire sample area was divided into 10 segments based on the adjacent villages on the

Rajasthan bank. The segments were surveyed one day each, over 11 days. Time of sampling was between

1000hrs and 1700hrs. The first segment of the stretch, i.e. from Pali to Rameshwaram [approx. 20 km]

was surveyed on a motorboat. This stretch lies within the tourism zone of the sanctuary. The remaining

part of the stretch, from Rameshwaram to Khirkan was surveyed on foot, along the river bank.

The documentation involved Gharial and Mugger numbers, quantification of threats, assessing land use

patterns along the banks and recording the flora and other threatened fauna of the area. Spotting of

Gharials, Muggers, other fauna and any activity in the river or on the bank was done using Olympus 10 x

50 Field Binoculars. Two Garmin eTrex GPS units were used to record the co-ordinates of the spot

perpendicular to the Gharial and Mugger locations at every sighting. The specific location of the

Gharial/Mugger was noted; classifying them based on positions ‘In water’, ‘on Sand Bank/Bar/Island’,

‘on rocks’ or ‘on Mud banks’.

Village stretch Males Sub-adults/

Females

Juv. No.

in

water

No. on

Sand

bank/bar/

island

No.

on

rocks

No. on

mud

banks

Total

Pali -Rameshwaram - 2 - - - - 2 2

Rameshwaram-Shankarpura - - - - - - - -

Shankarpura-Baghoda - - - - - - - -

Baghoda-Bilvasa 1 6 2 6 - 3 - 9

Bilvasa-Gohata - 5 2 2 - 5 - 7

Gohata-Davar 3 50 - 42 7 - 4 53

Davar- Ghoonsai - 3 - 2 1 - - 3

Ghoonsai-Kased 2 10 5 15 2 - - 17

Kased-Kemkutch 5 9 7 9 12 - - 21

Kemkutch-Khirkan 1 3 6 3 7 - - 10

Table.1 Gharial numbers - Males/SA/Females/juvs. in each segment showing corresponding positions

GPS co-ordinates were also taken at every change in the habitat/land use along the bank. At every point

recorded, presence/absence of disturbance was noted. A location was considered ‘disturbed’ when one or

more of the following was observed: Human activity, cattle activity, fishing activity, water pumps,

sand/stone mining, flattened ravines and agriculture. Fishing, presence of water pumps and sand/stone

mining were recorded and quantified as direct threats. All the data collected were entered into data sheets

on field.

While we walked along the bank during the day with two porters, our luggage and grocery would be

loaded onto the Camel cart and would reach the next village via the road route. The cook and the owner

of the camel cart would travel with the cart and look after the luggage until we reached the spot. Tents

and carry mats, rucksacks, groceries, utilities and other food items went on the camel cart.


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During the nights, we camped at the same villages that we had camped at during the previous

expeditions. Upon reaching the destined village, we would set up our tents either in the open, a villager’s

courtyard or the village school. While the cook made dinner, we would talk to the villagers and the

village children to collect socio-economic data and examine their attitude towards the river and gharials.

The data gathered with respect to socio-economic aspects of each village included number and types of

communities and ethnic groups, economic standards based on sizes of lands owned, presence/absence and

distance to public amenities such as schools, banks, community centres, police station and primary health

care, number of motor vehicles in the village, number and type of cattle/livestock, extent of dependence

on river water and other livelihood resources such as fuel-food.

The results with respect to gharials and muggers were analysed for extent of human influenced

disturbance on habitat, variations in gharial numbers in each segment over the three years, correlating

gharial numbers and identified threats such as fishing, water pumps etc and also the relation between

gharial numbers and presence of sand banks/bars/islands. The analysed results have been illustrated in

simple percentage bar graphs.


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Results

1. Gharial populations & Gharial HPRAs

Stretch Number of Gharials

Pali - Rameshwaram 2

Rameshwaram - Shankarpura 0

Shankarpura - Bhagoda 0

Bhagoda-Bilvasa 9

Bilvasa - Gohta 7

Gohta - Dawar 53

Davar - Ghoonsai 3

Ghoonsai - Kased 17

Kased - Kemkutch 21

Kemkutch - Khirkan 10

Total 122

Table.2 Gharial populations in each segment of sample area

Fig.2 Schematic representation of sample area, gharial populations & HPRAs

A total of 122 gharials were counted in the 110km stretch between Pali and Khirkan; including 11 males,

22 juveniles and 89 sub-adults/females. The stretch between Kemkutch and Khirkan is exclusive to the

present survey and we had no data for this stretch from our previous surveys. The relative low

populations of gharials were documented between the villages Pali and Gohta; with 15% of the total

gharial population. The High Population Recorded Areas [HPRAs] this time were identified between the

villages Gohta and Khirkan supporting 85% of the total number of gharials documented. The determined

HPRAs are of high importance since they signify possibilities of better habitat qualities and also suggest

areas that require long term protection.

The HPRA supported 91.6% of the total male population in the sample area, suggesting strong viability

for substantial long term breeding population. The same stretch also constituted 81.8% of the total

juvenile population, indicating ideal growing conditions and better habitat suitability.


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2. Fishing activity and Gharial numbers

Fig.3 Graph showing percentage of fishermen against percentage of gharials in each stretch; Dec 2009

Fig.4 Graph showing difference in number of fishermen in each stretch in Dec 2008 and Dec 2009*

Fishing is one of the direct threats for the survival of gharials. Fig.3 shows the percentage of fishermen in

each stretch against the percentage of gharials. It is seen that the segments before Gohta have relatively

higher percentage of fishermen as compared to segments post-Gohta. The segment with maximum

gharial numbers shows a rather low percentage of fishermen and the segment with maximum fishing

activity supports no gharial population. Fig.4 shows a comparative graph of number of fishermen

documented in December 2008 against number of fishermen documented in December 2009. It is seen

that with an evident overall increase in the number of fishermen to nearly twice the number from 47 in

December 2008 to 86 in December 2009 between the Pali-Kemkutch stretch, there is also a significant

and progressive increase in the number of fishermen in the Gharial HPRAs, indicating aggravating

competition for the resource in discussion.


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3. Number of water pumps & Gharial numbers

Fig.5 Graph showing percentage of water pumps against percentage of gharials in each stretch; Dec 2009

Fig.6 Graph showing difference in number of water pumps in each stretch in Dec 2008 and Dec 2009*

The number of water pumps in a segment of the sample area indirectly indicates the extent of agricultural

activity. A total of 130 water pumps were counted from both the banks. Fig.5 shows the percentage of

water pumps against percentage of gharials in every segment of the sample area as recorded in the present

survey. It is seen that there is maximum agricultural activity in the very first stretch and eventually

reduced to comparatively low yet consistent. The HPRAs show comparatively lower agricultural activity.

Fig.6 shows a graph comparing number of water pumps documented in the present survey and the

number documented in December 2008. Although the trend remains consistent in terms of maximum and

minimum numbers across the entire stretch, it is seen that there is also a consistent increase in the number

of water pumps in the HPRAs. The number of water pumps has increased from 121 in December 2008 to

128 in December 2009 in the Pali-Kemkutch stretch.


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4. Human disturbance, Sand banks/bars/islands & Gharial numbers

Fig.7 Graph showing percentage disturbance against number of gharials in each segment

Fig.8 Graph showing percentage Sand bank/bar/island against number of gharials in each segment

Disturbance was marked for presence/absence at each location where GPS point was recorded to assess

habitat and land use. 79.8% of the total sampled area faced anthropogenic disturbance in the form of

human activity, cattle activity, fishing activity, water pumps, sand/stone mining, flattened ravines and

agriculture. In Fig.7 it is seen that maximum disturbance was recorded in the tourism zone [first 20km

stretch] of the NCS. It is also seen that almost in all cases the percentage of disturbance varies inversely

with gharial numbers.

Sand banks, sand bars and sand islands play a significant role in the ecology of gharials. They are used

preferentially as basking and nesting sites. Sand banks/bars/island constituted 32.3% of the total sampled

area on the Rajasthan side. The gharial numbers vary directly with the percentage increase/decrease in

sand banks/bars/islands. The stretch Davar – Ghoonsai is of specific significance since it is the only

segment where the gharial number varies inversely with the sand bank percentage. This is perhaps due to

a vast stretch of the Ghoonsai sand bank that has now been converted into agricultural land.


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5. Variations in Gharial & Mugger populations over three surveys

Fig.9 Graph showing variations in Mugger numbers over three surveys January 2008-December 2009*

Fig.10 Graph showing variations in Gharial numbers over three surveys January 2008-December 2009*

The variations in Mugger populations are of significance since the gharials and muggers share

physiological similarities. It is seen in Fig.9 that Mugger populations in each segment have been highly

inconsistent. This variation might be due to the larger home ranges and lesser habitat specificity of

Muggers as compared to gharials. It is seen that the stretch Gohta - Davar shows unusually consistent

Mugger numbers. This is also the segment with maximum gharial populations from all three surveys.

This might indicate better habitat suitability in the particular segment.

Fig.10 shows variations in Gharial populations in each segment recorded over three surveys. It is seen

that the High Population Recorded Areas [HPRAs] in all three surveys has remained the same, i.e. the

stretch between Gohta and Kemkutch. The segment between Gohta and Davar has consistently shown the

highest gharial numbers in the total sample area.

*For accuracy in analyses, the stretch common to all three surveys, i.e. Pali-Kemkutch has been standardized.


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Discussion

The Gharial Gavialis gangeticus is a prominent riverine species of the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and

Mahanadi river systems that is becoming increasingly rare due to reduction in water flow, available

nesting beaches, modification of river morphology and increased mortality in fishing nets. (Hussain,

2009). Although a substantial breeding population now thrives within the limits of the National Chambal

Sanctuary, uncontrolled anthropogenic pressures continue to pose a threat to the survival of the gharial.

79.8% of the total sampled area faced disturbance due to direct or indirect human activity. With sporadic

increase in fishing activity in the river and agricultural activities along the banks, the last stronghold of

the gharial remains in a state of peril.

Fishing

Illegal fishing in the sanctuary has been identified as the most significant and direct threat to the Gharials.

Cast nets are so spread across the river width such that a Gharial, mostly juveniles (Sharma and Basu,

2004), get entangled and drown to death. This affects the breeding population and thus the viability of the

population gets affected. Increased fishing activity also affects the main diet of the Gharials. Fish

constitute a predominant portion in the diet of a gharial. Fish is also consumed by other fauna like the

Smooth Coated Otter, Gangetic River Dolphin, Storks, Pelicans and Cormorants which inhabit the river.

Thus fishing can potentially disrupt the food chain and the ecology of the river.

Fishing activity was observed being carried out individually by fishermen. A single person uses a tractor

tyre tube for floatation and two wooden paddles are used as rows. Drift nets made of nylon are most

commonly used. The nets are generally cast in the water, sometimes 3-4 at a time early in the morning

and collected back with the catch by dusk. Rare cases of fishing using a 'Fishing line' were recorded near

Gohta.

The total number of fishermen recorded was 97 [86 in the Pali-Kemkutch stretch]. 82 fishermen from the

Madhya Pradesh side and 15 fishermen from the Rajasthan side were recorded. All the fishermen from

the Rajasthan side belonged to 'Godikutch' village. The villagers on the Rajasthan side are traditionally

vegetarians. It was noted that only the ‘Kahar’ community on the Rajasthan side consume fish. Upon

interacting with the locals, it was found that the fishing equipment is mostly purchased from Sheopur and

Sabalgarh in Madhya Pradesh. The local names of some fish found in the river are Rohu, Bawas, Baam,

Dhegra, Shingada and Mahseer. The fishermen commented that they catch between 10-20kg of fish per

day and sell the catch for Rs.100-200 per kilogram. There was one case, however, where a person

claimed that sometimes the total daily catch of fish is 2 quintals.

Agriculture

Agriculture is a major threat to the survival of the habitat of Gharials. Agriculture is being rampantly

practiced along riverbanks, on both the sides. Chambal being a perennial river has fertile banks that are

close to the villages. The villagers find it convenient to grow crops on these patches. It is a case of habitat

destruction as well as encroachment. Nearly 33% of the sampled area on the Rajasthan bank showed

agricultural activity. The most common agricultural crops in the sample area are Brassica juncea

(mustard), Triticum vulgare (Wheat), Cajunus cajan (Yellow lentils), Green peas and green gram.Various

factors come into the picture along with agriculture, all of which result is disruption of natural habitat.

Flattening of Ravines : Ravines along the river are being flattened at an alarming rate to make space for

agricultural fields. As mentioned earlier, they play a very important role in safeguarding the overall

habitat of the river and also support a rich and diverse ecosystem.


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During floods, the water level rises 10-15m and often spreads up to 500m from either bank. (Hussain,

2009). The ravines act as barriers to the floodwaters. The ravines also block the animals from the river

from drifting inland for a long distance with the floodwater. However, in the absence of the ravines, the

animals get stuck in the soft clayey sand of the ravines, and they cannot return to the river.

Flattening of ravines was observed throughout the area of study. While ravines constituted 18% of the

sampled area, 22 % of these ravines were flattened for agricultural purposes. It was observed in areas that

form important corridors between protected areas, for example, between Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary and

the National Chambal Sanctuary. The flattening of ravines will not only alter the morphology of the river,

but also further isolate the habitats of keystone species like the Tiger.

Water Pumps : There is an increasing demand for freshwater, particularly from the rivers. Water pumps

are installed along the river banks for water abstraction for irrigational purposes. This water is supplied to

the agricultural fields on the banks as well as the fields near the villages. Sometimes pipes as long as

4000 ft. are used to supply water to the fields in the villages. Although on a small level, the water pumps

cause change in the river flow which can affect the river morphology. The water pumps are a constant

nuisance. They cause noise and water pollution. The diesel from the water pumps also seeps into the

river.

A total of 130 water pumps were recorded from both the banks. The HPRAs of gharials showed only

23% of the total number of water pumps. The loud noise generated by the pumps along with constant

human intervention is presumably another reason for lower gharial numbers in areas with higher number

of water pumps.

Fertilizers : Urea is the most commonly used fertilizer for agriculture. This might have long-term effects

on the river ecosystem. As the urea slowly seeps into the river causing eutrophication, the amount of

floating vegetation in the river will increase. This floating vegetation will choke up the river water and

alter the pace of the river. This might eventually affect all the riverine fauna and disrupt the food chain.

Destruction of Sand banks : The need for more and more cultivable lands has now driven the villagers

from locations close to the banks to exploit large stretches of sand banks. Sand banks, used as basking

and nesting sites by gharials, is of high significance in their ecology. Sand banks/bars/islands occupy

32.3% of the total sampled area and nearly 10% of these banks have now been converted into agricultural

lands.

Mining

Mining is one of the factors that contribute to the destruction of the Gharial habitat. Not only does it alter

the natural habitat, but also negatively influences the highly important nesting sites. The gharial is a

communal nester, i.e. a large number of females use the same sand bank to lay eggs. (Rao & Singh,

1993). The banks of the river are mined for either Sand or Stone.

Sand Mining : Gharials are known to prefer sand banks to rocks or clay banks. Another advantage of

basking on sandy surfaces is that it contains more moisture than other surfaces and hence they provide a

hot (sun) and cool (moisture in sand) environment, thus reducing the chance of desiccation while basking

in the sun. (Hussain, 2009). Sand mining is of importance as a threat because the sand on islands in the

river as well as the few remaining sand banks is taken away in tractors. The demand for sand for

construction purposes is constantly increasing. Small scale mining of sand was observed on the banks of

Ghoonsai. [Sand was being collected in small bags and loaded onto a mule]


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Stone mining : Stone mining takes place by either manually breaking the stone layers or by using

dynamites. The dynamite sound can be heard for a considerably long distance from the site of mining.

The noise that the crushing implements, dynamites and the tractors that collect the load make causes

disturbance to animals. Species like the Smooth Coated Otter need the rocks and stones for nesting.

Socio-economic aspects:

During the course of the expedition, we camped at 11 villages on the Rajashtan side. All the villages rely

heavily on the Chambal for water. Water is drawn from the river in all villages. In the villages till Gohta,

the predominant community is of the Gujjars. Other communities include Jats, Rajputs, Malis and

Meenas. Beyond Gohta, the Meena community is predominant. All the castes with the exception of

Rajputs are non-meat eaters. One village in particular, Godikutch, located between Baghoda and Bilvasa

is of a special importance. The village has 19 households, all of which belong to the fishing community

called ‘Kahar’.

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the villagers. People of all communities practise

agriculture on various scales. They either have their own land for agriculture or use a land on sharing

basis with other families. A few also rent their land out for agriculture. Cattle and livestock rearing is the

second major source of income. Almost all the families own buffaloes and goats. The Gujjar community

is traditionally of goat herders. Dependence on the river water was maximum for communities that

owned cattle/livestock. Up to 10% of the sampled area of Rajasthan side showed activity of

cattle/livestock. Remote cases of conflict due to muggers taking away cattle were also recorded as per

comments by villagers.

Attitude of Villagers, Conflict and Tolerance:

From Pali to Davar, it was observed that the villagers were quite indifferent towards the Gharial and its

aspects. However, the attitude of the villagers changed drastically after Davar village. The villagers in

this area are very much aware of the forest department and their role in protection of Chambal and its

surrounding habitat. They have been put under constant pressure by the forest department through

attempts at forced relocation. Due to this, the villagers have seemingly turned against conservation

strategies towards the gharial. We were informed of their hostility towards people involved in the forest

department or gharial conservation by trusted sources. It took a lot of convincing by our porters and field

assistants for the villagers in new locations of Kemkutch and Khirkan to allow us to camp in their village.

This attitude of the locals is one of the major factors that will act against any conservation strategy in the

area from being successful. These locals must be involved constructively, instead of forcing anything

upon them, which is only going to turn them against the Gharials and Chambal. According to these

villagers, it is the Gharial that is threatening their source of livelihood and jeopardising their authority on

the land that they own.

Significant findings from three surveys:

· A dead specimen of a Gharial was reported by the expedition team in December 2008.

The location was in the tourist area between Pali and Rameshwaram. The specimen was found

entangled in a fish net. The post-mortem report revealed that the animal had multiple fractures in

its lower mandible. This indicates that the death could possibly be because of struggle and

subsequent drowning.


18

· During the summer of 2009, the Tiger Watch team conducted a rapid survey on a boat in

the tourist area [Pali to Rameshwaram]. The team recorded one dead Gharial and one dead

Mugger, both entangled in fish-nets. These deaths were also reported to the concerned

authorities.

· During the present survey, one dead Mugger was recorded in the Gharial HPRA on the

7th day. Although there was significant fishing activity seen around the dead Mugger, the actual

cause of death is unknown.

Other Fauna

Jackal Canis aureus was the most common mammal seen along the banks; both in the ravines as well as

outskirts of villages. Numerous pugmarks of Striped Hyena Hyaena Hyaena were seen along the clay

banks and the sandy ravine paths. There was also one location where Ratel Mellivora capensis

(unconfirmed) pugmarks were seen close to the river. There has been no recorded sighting of Smooth

coated Otters Lutrogale perspicillata by our teams in all three surveys. A local villager at village

Baghoda told us of one instance where he had spotted the Otter around 10 years ago. He further informed

us that the locals refer to it as a ‘Jalmanushya’ or ‘Merman’. He commented that the otter was spotted

only once and that within a few days of sighting, he found its skull after it had been hunted and killed by

a Moghiya [tribal hunting community]. Upon enquiry, the Moghiya explained to the villager that the

Jalmanushya is tracked by locating the place where it defecates. Since Otters are known to use a single

location on a rock repeatedly as a site for defecating, they are thus tracked and hunted. (Bawani Singh

Rajawat, pers. comm.). There has also been no recorded sighting of the Gangetic River Dolphin

Platanista gangetica in the past three surveys. They are, however, commonly seen at Rohu Ghat,

close to Mandrael Forest Check post. (Kishore Meena, pers.comm)

The Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, a juvenile Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonicus

leschnaultii and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus cristatus were added to the checklist of birds

from previous surveys. Two flocks of the Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis were recorded in the entire

survey. Both flocks [with 20 individuals in each] were spotted on or near sand banks in the same two

locations where they were seen in December 2008; viz. the Banas-Chambal confluence near

Rameshwaram and the sand banks of Ghoonsai.

The river is known to house 7 different species of Turtles. Lissemys punctata, Chitra indica (Chitra

turtle), Batagur kachuga (Red Crowned Roof Terrapin), Kachuga dhongoka, K. tentoria (Tent

Turtle), Trionyx gangeticus and Aspideretes gangeticus (Ganges Soft Shelled Turtle). Terrapins were

seen in large numbers, usually around river rapids. Individuals of Lacertids (Ophisops sp.) were also seen

commonly amidst rocks and boulders in most parts of the survey area.

Flora Report

The Chambal River forms the western part of the Gangetic plain. The area between Chambal River and

Banas River is called the Vindhyan scrubland. Along the bank the lands are utilized for agriculture.

Therefore, there is mass destruction of the endemic flora even though the river has a good diversity of the

aquatic angiosperms. The following are some of the dominant species of plants:

Free floating: These plants grow on the water surface and float freely on it. Their roots hang under water

from where nutrients are absorbed. Eg. Utricularia stellaris, Pitia sps, etc.


19

Floating attached: Plants are rooted in the river bed soil but grow through the water column. Eg.

Nymphea sps., Nympoides cristrata, Nympoides india, Potamageton sps, Aponogeton natans, Ipomea

aquatica etc.

Submerged: These plants grow under water and may or may not be rooted in soil. Eg. Hydrilla

vertivillata, Najas sps, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Hydrilla, Vallisneria spiralis etc.

Marshland species: These plants grow on marshy soil. Such types of lands are dominated by Sedges and

Grass. Eg. Cyperus, Eleocharis, Fimbristylis, Scirpus, Limnophyton, Ipomea carnea, Ammania baccifera,

Rotula aquatica, Polygonum glabrum etc.

Sand bank soil shows very fine texture and plants find it difficult to keep hold of roots on such surfaces.

But some plant species grow in these patches. Eg. Calotropis procera, Tamarix aphylla, Convolvulus

prostratus, Prosopis juliflora, Leptadenia pyrotechnica etc

The river bank is interspersed by the following common trees: Dichrostachys cinerca, Pongamea

pinnata, Acacia nilotica, Anogisus pendula, Salvadora deoides etc.

Indigenous floral species

The following are some of the common indigenous plants documented in our sample area:

Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew.; Common name: Karil Family: Capparidaceae

Plant is a leafless shrub found commonly in the ravines. The plant has spines all over the stem. Flowers

are white; fruit (berries) are green in colour. Flowers and fruits are used as vegetables. Bark used in

cough, asthma and inflammation.

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn.; Common name: Arjun. Family: Combretaceae.

An evergreen tree found near river banks. Flowers grow in terminal inflorescence; fruits are winged and

called Samara. Bark and ashes are used in dyeing and tanning. The gum from bark, leaves and fruit is

medicinally used in Ayurveda.

Anogeissus pendula (Edgew.); Common name: Dhonk Family: Combretaceae

Plant is deciduous. Anogeissus pendula is a very important tree species of this fragile ecosystem. It is a

drought hardy plant that yields timber, fodder and other products. It yields Gum and Tannin. A. pendula

has ecological significance for the Aravallis and other hilly areas of the country.

Butea monsperma (Lam.) Taub.; Common name: Dhak, Palas. Family: Fabaceae

A small deciduous tree found commonly in Chambal. It flowers after the winter season; flowers are

bright orange in colour. Flower used in yielding orange- yellow dye. Leaves are used in making plates.

Timber is use in making furniture, fuel wood, and other domestic purpose.

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre; Common name: Karanj. Family: Fabaceae

An evergreen tree found near river banks. Leaves are compound. Flowers are white in colour; Fruits are

Crescent (Karanji) in shape. Oil is extracted from the seed which is used for making soap and also

illuminant. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases and rheumatism.

Salvadora oleoidies Decaisne; Common name: Khabar, Diar, Pilu. Family: Salvadoraceae

It grows in arid and semi arid regions of north-west India. The plant tolerates temperatures between 3 to

48°C. S. oleoides thrives on a variety of soil types and is ecologically adapted for salt affected,

alkaline/saline and hard rocky/sandy soils. This tree is a source of fuel, fodder and timber and has


20

medicinal values. The plant is valuable as the seeds yield non-edible oil, used in the manufacture of soaps

and in other commercial/industrial purposes. Invasive floral species

Alien species are those introduced by humans into areas outside of their native ranges. Once introduced

in this manner, they become devoid of their predators, parasites and diseases that keep them in balance

with their native environment. These invasive species are a threat to the riparian habitat of Chambal and

the surrounding habitat that harbour many unique species. The following are invasive alien species that

are found along Chambal River:

Datura inoxia, Family: Solanaceae.

It is a shruby plant which typically reaches a height of 0.6 to 1.5 meters. This plant is native to Central

and South America. All parts of Datura plants contain dangerous levels of poison and may be fatal if

ingested by humans or other animals, including livestock. Herbivores generally avoid feeding on this

plant.

Ipomoea carnea, Family: Convolvulaceae.

Plant grows to a height of 5m. The stem is thick and develops into a solid trunk over several years with

many branches from base. It acts as toxic to cattle. This plant often grows in the shallow waters and

because of lesser competition it spreads rapidly in the river and poses a threat to this ecosystem.

Parthenium hysterophorous, Family: Asteraceae.

Aggressive weed invading all human influenced lands including farms, pastures, and roadsides. Contact

with this plant causes dermatitis and respiratory malfunction in humans, dermatitis in cattle and domestic

animals due to the presence of toxin Parthenin.

Prosopis juliflora, Family: Mimosaceae.

The plant is shrub or a small tree. It is native to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. It was

introduced in India as a fuel wood plant, but because of adaptability to grow in dry and arid climatic

conditions and owing to lack of competition, it has become dominant plant.

Argemone mexicana, Family: Papavaraceae.

The plant is a thorny annual shrub. It is native to Mexico. The entire plant is poisonous in nature. Because

of this it has been spreading without control and slowly becoming a threat to the natural ecosystem.


21

Conclusion

The survey sample area covers nearly one-fourth the entire distance of the National Chambal Sanctuary.

From results of three surveys, it has been deduced that this particular stretch supports an average of ~109

gharials. The sanctuary continues to drift towards fragmentation and isolation. With human settlements

expanding along the banks, its continuity with neighboring protected areas is being broken. Increasing

anthropogenic pressures through fishing, agriculture, mining and livestock interference have been

adversely affecting the diet, habitat and ecology of the Gharial. The negative implications of human

activities have also victimized the ravines along the river bank and the wildlife that they support.

A fragile population of gharials continues to thrive in an even more fragile and progressively

deteriorating ecosystem. The Chambal, which is home to 68% of the world’s wild population, is the last

stronghold for Gharials. Even after repeated incidents of Gharial and Mugger deaths due to unnatural

causes being reported to the Forest Department, no concrete measures have been taken to combat the

situation. The sanctuary, being divided under three different jurisdictions, also suffers from blame games

to justify failure in protection. The death of two gharials, the critically endangered flagship species of the

sanctuary, did not attract any kind of action from the authorities. The sanctuary continues to suffer from

lack of monitoring to keep a check on illegal fishing and mining activities.

The inability in planning long term conservation initiatives has led the forest department into forcing

relocation of villages in some areas of the river bank. The negative attitude of these villagers will

intuitively come in the way of future conservation plans. Involvement of local communities in the

conservation of gharial has become highly imperative. There is also immense scope for an extensive

study across the entire stretch of the sanctuary and determining the total gharial population. There is a

clear possibility of more HPRAs occurring along the remaining stretch of the river. Along with regular

monitoring, these high population areas need to be identified and given strict protection in order to

establish a stable breeding population for gharials in the wild.


22

Appendix-1

Gharial/Mugger Datasheet

Point Location Time Lat./Long. Males Sub

Adults/

Females

Juv. Habitat Remarks


23

Appendix-2

Habitat Datasheet

Point Latitude/Longitude Habitat [L,R] Disturbance(Y/N) Remarks


24

Appendix-3

Checklist of birds from three surveys

Bird Species

Sl. no. Common name Latin name

1 Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria

2 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis

3 Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix grisea

4 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea

5 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans

6 Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

7 Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra

8 Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus

9 Bar Headed Goose Anser indicus

10 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

11 Bay- Backed Shrike Lanius vittatus

12 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus

13 Black- Bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda

14 Black- Crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

15 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus

16 Black- Headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus

17 Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa

18 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

19 Black Rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense

20 Black- Shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

21 Black stork Ciconia nigra

22 Black- Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

23 Black –Winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

24 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

25 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius

26 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica

27 Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum

28 Brown Crake Amaurornis akool

29 Brown fish Owl Ketupa zeylonicus leschnaultii

30 Brown Rock Chat Cercomela fusca

31 Brown shrike Lanius cristatus

32 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus

33 Bush Quail species

34 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

35 Citrine wagtail Motacilla citreola

36 Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos

37 Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus


25

38 Common Coot Fulica atra

39 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

40 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops

41 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia

42 Common Kestrel Falcu tinnunculus

43 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

44 Common Pochard Aythya nyroca

45 Common Redshank Tringa tetanus

46 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

47 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

48 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

49 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata

50 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius

51 Common Teal Anas crecca

52 Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala

53 Crested Lark Galerida cristata

54 Crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela

55 Darter Anhinga melanogaster

56 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti

57 Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo concolor

58 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus

59 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

60 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata

61 Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo

62 Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

63 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

64 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

65 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

66 Gadwall Anas strepera

67 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

68 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

69 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus cristatus

70 Great Egret Casmerodius albus

71 Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris

72 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus

73 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis

74 Green Bee- Eater Merops orientalis

75 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

76 Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus

77 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

78 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

79 Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani


26

80 House Crow Corvus splendens

81 House Sparrow Passer domesticus

82 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus

83 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii

84 Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata

85 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

86 Indian Silverbill Lonchura malaharica

87 Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis

88 Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia

89 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus

90 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum

91 Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica

92 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

93 Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi

94 Large-Billed Crow Corvus macrohynchos

95 Laughing Dove Sturnus senegalensis

96 Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica

97 Lesser White-throat Sylvia curucca

98 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger

99 Little Egret Egretta garzetta

100 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

101 Little Heron Butorides striatus

102 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

103 Little Stint Calidris minuta

104 Long- Billed Vulture Gyps indicus

105 Long-Tailed Shrike Lanius schach

106 Northern Pintail Anas acuta

107 Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus

108 Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis

109 Osprey Pandion haliaetus

110 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus

111 Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus

112 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala

113 Pallas’s Gull Larus ichthyaetus

114 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus

115 Pheasant- Tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus

116 Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata

117 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

118 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata

119 Plum- Headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala

120 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

121 Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica


27

122 Red- Headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus

123 Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina

124 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica

125 Red-Vented Bulbul Pynonotus cafer

126 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

127 River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii

128 River Tern Sterna aurantia

129 Rock Pigeon Columba livia

130 Rose- Ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

131 Rosy starling Sturnus roseus

132 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

133 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda

134 Rufous-tailed shrike Lanius isabellinus

135 Shikra Accipiter badius

136 Short-toed snake eagle Circaetus gallicus

137 Small blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

138 Small Pratincole Glareola lacteal

130 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis

140 Spot-Billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha

141 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis

142 Spotted Owlet Athene brama

143 Streak-Throated Swallow Hirundo fluvicola

144 Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata

145 Whiskered Tern Chidonias hybridus

146 White- Throated Kingfisher Halycon smyrnensis

147 White-Browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis

148 White-capped Bunting Emberiza stewarti

149 White-Eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis

150 Wire-Tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii

151 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

152 Wooly- Necked Stork Ciconia episcopus

153 Yellow Legged Gull Larus cachinnans

154 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

155 Yellow-crowned woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis

156 Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera


28

Appendix-4

Checklist of plants recorded in December 2009

Family Species

Acanthaceae Andrographis paniculata

Acanthaceae Peristrophe paniculata

Alistimaceae Limnophyton obtusifolium

Amaranthaceae Achyrathus aspera

Amaranthaceae Gomphrena celiosoides

Amarlydaceae Crinum sps

Aponogetonaceae Aponogeton natans

Asclepidaceae Calotropis gigantia

Asclepidaceae Calotropis procera

Asclepidaceae Leptadenia pyrotechnica

Asclepidaceae Pergularia daemia

Asteraceae Parthanium hysterophorus

Boraginaceae Rotula aquatica

Convolvulaceae Convolvulus prostatus

Convolvulaceae Ipomea aquatica

Convolvulaceae Ipomea carnea

Convolvulaceae Merimia gangetica

Cyperaceae Cyperus sps

Cyperaceae Eleocharis sps

Cyperaceae Fimbristylis sps

Cyperaceae Scirpus sps

Euphorbiaceae Chrozophora prostrata

Hydrocharitaceae Hydrilla verticillata

Hydrocharitaceae Nechamandra alternifolia

Hydrocharitaceae Vallisneria spiralis

Lytraceae Ammania baccifera

Menyanthaceae Nymphoides indicum

Mimosaceae Acacia nelotica

Mimosaceae Prosopis juliflora

Papavaraceae Argemone mexicana

Polygonaceae Persicarea glabara

Potamogetonaceae Potamogeton perfoliatus

Solanaceae Datura inoxe

Solanaceae Solanum virginianum

Tamaricaceae Tamarix aphylla


29

Funding, Budget & Support

The preparations prior to the expedition comprised of volunteer recruitment and raising funds for

project expenses such as travel allowances, field equipments etc. In view of the same, the Gharial

Expedition was preceded by ‘Fera October 2009,’ a fund raiser event initiated by Tiger Watch, bearing

the virtue of an art, photography & tribal handicrafts exhibition cum sale. The event was held for a period

of 7 days from the 1st-7th of October 2009 at Alliance Francaise, Bangalore.

The main objective of Fera was to raise funds to meet the expenses of the expedition through

sale of artwork, photographs and tribal handicrafts. It was also unique in providing a forum for the

general public to get involved in conservation related activities as a buyer, donor, sponsor or volunteer.

Planning for Fera involved selection of a venue, appeal for sponsorship endorsements, media publicity

campaigns, prints & press release of event details and procurement of artwork, photographs and tribal

handicrafts to be displayed.

Fera was inaugurated on the 1st October 2009 by Dr.Ravi Chellam, Director, WCS India. A total

of 69 exhibits of artwork were put up on display. The exhibition included artworks by Ms.Abhijna

Anand, Mr.Arjun Srivathsa, Ms.Prashanthi Nerallapalli and photographs by Mr.Phillip Ross, Mr.Vivek

Vellanki, Mr.Ramnath Chandrashekar and guest photographer Mr.Sudhir Shivaram; along the themes of

Animals in Indian mythology, Nature, Wildlife of India and Human influences on nature. The tribal

handicrafts were made by women of the Moghiya community, currently part of Tiger Watch’s tribal

women empowerment program.

The event received laudable response from the general public, ranging from casual visitors and

enthusiasts to buyers of art/photographs/handicrafts. The event bore further attraction by means of a daily

raffle for which raffle tickets each were sold every day and the sale amount was added to the fund.

Winners of daily raffle were entitled to a holiday package sponsored by Mahindra Zest. The event also

received direct donations from willing donors, the returns of which were added to the net profits from

sales of exhibits. The event was coordinated and managed by Mr.Sujay Kotian.

We wish to thank our main sponsors; Ramnathshekar.com [Mr.Ramnath Chandrashekar], Elephas

Creations [Mr. Sudhir Shivaram], Seema Electricals pvt. ltd. [Mr.Sudheendra D S]; Individual sponsors,

Mr. Ravi Kant Singh [Sapient Corporation] & Mr.T N Madhu [C&M Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.]; Publicity

partner Mahindra Zest Holidays & Media partners Radio Indigo 91.9 FM; Publicity designs: Ms. Deepa

Chandrashekar. We also thank our coordinators and volunteers, Ms.Vishnupriya Sankararaman,

Mr.Vishnupriya Hathwar, Mr.Prakash Matada, Ms.Natasha Ballal & Mr.Vijay Rao for their efforts in

making the event a success.


30

Budget

The following table summarizes the expenses involved in the expedition:

Food and Groceries Rs.15,398/-

Equipment Rs.11,000/-

Porter Fees Rs.8,650/-

Travel Rs.7,804/-

Miscellaneous Rs.3,336/-

Medicine & First aid Rs.832/-

Total Rs.47,020/-

Support:

Tiger Watch, Ranthambhore Dev Aranya, Kota

Petzl Headlamps Reptile Rescue & Study Centre, Mumbai


31

Plates

Gallery 1 : Habitat

Scrub lands Rocks & Boulders

Ravines Grass patches

Pebble Bank Sand Bank


32

Gallery 2 : Threats

Fishing activity Fishermen at Godikutch village

Ravines flattened for Agriculture Mining activity

Water pump for irrigation Domestic cattle and Gharial sharing banks


33

Gallery 3 : On-field sights & activities

Scanning the banks Breakfast at campsite

Survey on foot Data entry on field

Skimmers on a Pebble bank Large Flock of Bar-Headed Geese on Sand Bank


34

Gallery 4 : Camp locations

Campsite in a village school – Baghoda village

Campsite in a villager’s courtyard – Davar village

Campsite in the open fields – Bilvasa village


35

Gallery 5 : Muggers & Gharials spotted during the survey

Mugger on the bank Gharial in the river

Mugger and Gharials on a Sand bar Mugger and fishing activity in the background

Gharials in the HPRA site


36

The Team

Arjun Srivathsa [email protected]

B.Sc (Chemistry,Botany,Zoology), Christ University, Bangalore

Suyash Katdare [email protected]

B.Sc (Zoology), Ruia College, Mumbai

Alok Chorghe [email protected]

Currently pursuing postgraduate course in Angiosperm Taxonomy, St.Xavier’s College, Mumbai

Soujanya Shrivastava [email protected]

B.Tech (Biotechnology), JIIT, Noida

Sujay Kotain [email protected]

B.Sc (Chemistry,Botany,Zoology), Christ University, Bangalore

Vishal Rasal [email protected]

Currently pursuing postgraduate course in Environmental Botany, Institution of Science, Mumbai

Survey team (L-R): Suyash Katdare, Alok Chorghe, Vishal Rasal, Arjun Srivathsa, Soujanya Shrivastava, Sujay Kotian


37

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