River and its gharials–rich biodiversity of National Chambal Sanctuary

Chambal was once known for its infamous bandits, but today, the region has made a name for itself in the world of wildlife conservation. The region’s journey from daakus (bandits) to gharials is what we are here for today.

The National Chambal Sanctuary, also famously known as National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, spans across the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, covering an area of over 5,400 sq km. The sanctuary was established with the main objective of protecting and conserving the unique aquatic species that inhabit the Chambal river; most importantly, for the conservation of the Critically Endangered gharial.


The sanctuary, located along the Chambal river, is one of the very few critical habitats for two endangered crocodilian species – the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and the Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). While the mugger is categorised as a Vulnerable species, the gharial finds itself in a very tricky situation in terms of its existence in the wild. Being in the Critically Endangered category brings them dangerously close to total extinction from the wild.


Thanks to the relentless efforts of conservationists and local communities, the gharials came under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Numerous dedicated conservation initiatives were aimed at preserving the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Here, you will find people practicing sustainable practices that benefit both people and wildlife.



With several eco-tourism initiatives now in place, visitors have a chance to explore the sanctuary responsibly and raise awareness about the importance of preserving this unique ecosystem.

Also read: Bringing back gharials from the brink of extinction

But this, in now way, means that the region and the sanctuary is in a great place right now. Despite the sanctuary's successes, there are still ongoing challenges like habitat degradation, pollution, and human-wildlife conflicts.



When we talk about Chambal River, it would be wrong to only focus on the crocs. Chambal river also hosts the Endangered Gangetic river dolphin. They are rarely seen in these rivers, but when one is lucky enough to see one, it’s a unique experience to last a lifetime. These dolphins are elusive and have been spotted a few times in the deeper parts of the sanctuary.

Also read: Kaziranga National Park and its four safari zones

We can say that single-handedly, National Chambal Sanctuary or the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary is supporting some of the most critical species of Indian wildlife. It is imperative that we extend our interest towards this region as well. Because it will not only increase our understanding of the wild, but will also be a huge help towards the conservation efforts.