Question 92 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Environment

Question

If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Chambal River

Strategy: Identify the correct habitat for the gharial, which is exclusive to clear, fast-flowing rivers. Eliminate unsuitable locations:
- Bhitarkanika
- Pulicat Lake
- Deepor Beel
Select the Chambal River, known for its significant gharial population and conservation efforts.

Key Info: **Gharial Profile**
The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a Critically Endangered crocodilian endemic to the Indian subcontinent, distinguished by its long, narrow snout adapted for catching fish.

**Natural Habitat**
Its natural habitat consists of deep, fast-flowing, freshwater rivers with sandy banks.

**Key Locations**
The National Chambal Sanctuary, located along the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, is India's primary stronghold for wild gharials. This sanctuary also harbors mugger crocodiles, freshwater turtles, and the Gangetic dolphin.

The following locations are ecologically unsuitable for gharials:
- **Bhitarkanika Mangroves**: Renowned for saltwater crocodiles, not gharials.
- **Pulicat Lake**: Significant for wetland birdlife but does not naturally support gharials.
- **Deepor Beel**: Important for birdlife but not a natural gharial habitat.

**Conservation**
Effective gharial conservation is concentrated in riverine sanctuaries like Chambal, primarily due to threats from habitat loss, sand mining, and fishing net entanglement. The gharial is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and international efforts are focused on its recovery in Indian rivers, especially the Chambal.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Bhitarkanika Mangroves

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Pulicat Lake

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Deepor Beel