National Chambal Sanctuary a vital natural heritage of India: CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a global hub for wildlife tourism. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government is committed to develop Morena region as a key tourism destination. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his determination to secure Tiger Reserve status for Madhav National Park in the future, emphasizing the state’s capability to protect all wildlife in its forests. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav shared these remarks with the media after releasing 10 gharials (9 female and 1 male) into their natural habitat in the Chambal River from the Deori Gharial Center in Morena. Assembly Speaker Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Khajuraho MP Shri V.D. Sharma, and officials from the Forest Department accompanied him on the boat during the event.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the Chambal Sanctuary is a significant part of the nation’s natural heritage and is home to the conservation of rare species. He expressed concern over the impact of climate change on these species and reiterated Madhya Pradesh’s ongoing commitment to promote and conserve biodiversity. During his visit to the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena district, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav inspected the sanctuary’s arrangements and the tourist facilities. He also observed the gharials up close and visited the Chambal Safari where he sought detailed information about gharial conservation efforts from the Forest Department officials.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav highlighted the immense potential of forest tourism in Madhya Pradesh. He stated that the government is actively working on several key initiatives to promote wildlife tourism across the state, including in the Chambal region. He pointed out the strong potential for the rehabilitation of not only gharials but also dolphins in the Chambal Sanctuary. He mentioned that efforts are already underway in this regard under the supervision of the Forest Department.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav apprised himself from Forest Department officials and employees of the Gharial Sanctuary regarding the rearing and conservation of gharials. Quoting the officials, the Chief Minister explained that the gharials released into the Chambal River today were hatched from eggs preserved in 2022. Thanks to proper care and a favourable environment, the eggs successfully hatched into baby gharials. He further highlighted that the sex of the gharials was determined by applying artificial temperature to the eggs.

The Chambal River is home to the largest population of gharials, not only in India but in the entire world. Out of approximately 3,000 gharials in the world, around 85 percent are found in the Chambal River alone. In 1978, this area of the Chambal River was designated as a wildlife sanctuary. The gharial breeding and release programme in the National Chambal Sanctuary in Morena began in 1981, when the gharial population in the river was fewer than 100. Under this programme, around 200 eggs are collected annually from the Chambal River and brought to the Deori Gharial Rehabilitation Center. The gharial cubs are raised at the center and released into their natural habitat once they reach a size of 120 centimeters.

According to the Morena Forest Department, an annual survey of aquatic animals is conducted in the Chambal Sanctuary every February. In the 2024 census, a total of 2,456 gharials were recorded in the sanctuary. This included 70 gharials from the 2024 batch, 95 from the 2023 batch, 85 from the 2022 batch, and 38 from the 2021 batch, totaling 288 gharials at the Gharial Rehabilitation Center. This year, the Forest Department has received permission to release 108 gharials into the Chambal River. As of now, 98 gharials have been released in several batches: 25 on 13 January 2025 (4 males and 21 females), 32 on 19 January 2025 (2 males and 30 females), 21 on 29 January 2025 (10 males and 11 females), and 20 on 6 February 2025 (12 males and 8 females).

For the tourists who are fond of wildlife tourism, Chambal boat safari has been arranged here, which has now become quite famous.