National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a
5400 km² (2,085 sq mi) protected area
for critically endangered
Gharial
Crocodiles and the Red-crowned roof turtle
and the endangered Ganges River Dolphin. Located near Etawah
in Uttar Pradesh
, North India
. It was declared in 1979 and constitutes a long narrow tri-state eco-reserve co-administered by the states of Rajasthan
, Madhya Pradesh
and Uttar Pradesh
. The pristine Chambal river
cuts through mazes of ravines and hills and leaves many sandy beaches throughout the
425 km (264.1 mi) long sanctuary.
at 25°2′14"N 75°40′41"E in Rajasthan
and the Chambal
-Yamuna
rivers confluence at 26°29′38"N 79°14′58"E in Uttar Pradesh
.
Along this arc, two stretches of the Chambal river are protected as the National Chambal Sanctuary. The upper sector centered at 25°6′25"N 75°45′10"E, extends about 27 km (16.8 mi) from Jawahar Sagar Dam to Kota Barrage
, and the lower sector, below a 19 km (11.8 mi) gap at Kota
city, extends about 567 km (352.3 mi)
from Keshoraipatan
in Rajasthan to the Chambal
-Yamuna
rivers confluence near Bhareh
town, Etawah district
(formerly Auraiya district
), Uttar Pradesh.
. Since such a declaration is carried out by individual states for territory falling within their jurisdiction, there are three separate notifications covering the National Chambal Sanctuary - the Madhya Pradesh portion was gazetted in the Government of Madhya Pradesh Notice No. F.15/5/77-10(2) dated 20 December 1978, the Uttar Pradesh portion was gazetted in the Government of Uttar Pradesh Notice No. 7835/XIV-3-103-78 dated 29 January 1979 and the Rajasthan portion was gazetted in the Government of Rajasthan Notice No.F.11(12)Rev.8/78 dated 7 December 1979.
The sanctuary is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary is administered by the Department of Forest under the Project Officer with headquarters at Morena
, Madhya Pradesh.
The Critically endangered
Gharial
crocodile and the Red-crowned roof turtle
live here, and together with the endangered Ganges River Dolphin are the keystone species
of the sanctuary. Other large threatened inhabitants of the sanctuary include Muggar crocodile, Smooth-coated Otter
, Striped Hyaena and Indian Wolf
. Chambal supports 8 of the 26 rare turtle
species found in India, including Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, Three-striped roof turtle
and Crowned river turtle. Other reptiles who live here are: Indian flapshell turtle
, Soft Shell turtle
, Indian roofed turtle, Indian tent turtle and Monitor lizard
.
Mammals of less concern who live here include: Rhesus Macaque
, Hanuman Langur, Golden Jackal
, Bengal Fox
, Common Palm Civet
, Indian Small Mongoose, Indian Grey Mongoose, Jungle cat
, Wild Boar,
Sambar, Nilgai
, Blackbuck
, Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Northern Palm Squirrel
, Porcupine, Indian Hare
, Indian Flying Fox and Hedgehog
.
The National Chambal Sanctuary is listed as an important bird area
(IBA) IN122. and is a proposed Ramsar
site. At least 320 species of resident and migratory birds inhabit the sanctuary. Migratory birds from Siberia
form part of its rich avian
fauna.
Vulnerable
bird species here include the Indian skimmer
., Sarus Crane
, Pallas's Fish Eagle and Indian Courser
. The Pallid Harrier
and Lesser Flamingo
s here are near threatened
. Winter visitors include Black-bellied Tern
s, Red-crested Pochard
and Ferruginous Pochard
and Bar-headed Goose
. Other species include Great Thick-knee
, Greater Flamingo
s, Darter
s, and Brown Hawk Owl
.
Common plants in the sanctuary include Khair (Mimosa catechu Acacia catechu
), Palash (Flame of the Forest Butea monosperma
), Churel (Indian Elm Tree Holoptelia integrifolia), Ber (Indian Plum Ziziphus mauritiana
) and Grassy patches on both sides of the river.
, Madhya Pradesh.
Parts of the sanctuary are threatened by extensive illegal sand mining
, which is endangering the fragile lotic ecosystem
critical for Gharial breeding.
On December 27, 2010, the Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh
, during a visit to the Madras Crocodile Bank
, announced the formation of a National Tri-State Chambal Sanctuary Management and Coordination Committee for gharial conservation on 1600 km² (617.8 sq mi) of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The Committee members will comprise representatives of three states' Water Resources Ministries, states' Departments of Irrigation and Power, Wildlife Institute of India
, Madras Crocodile Bank, the Gharial Conservation Alliance, Development Alternatives, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Worldwide Fund for Nature and the Divisional Forest officers of the three states. The Committee will plan strategies for protection of gharials and their habitat. It will conduct further research on the species and its ecology and evaluate the related socio-economic elements of dependent riparian communities. Funding for this new initiative will be mobilized as a sub-scheme of the ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ in the amount of Rs. 50 to 80 million (USD 1 million to 1.7 million) each year for five years. This project has long been advocated by herpetologist Rom Whitaker.
There are public vehicle entry points to Chambal Sanctuary at Pinahat
, Nandagon Ghat, Sehson and Bharch. Boating and visiting arrangements can be made with the help of the Wildlife Conservator Office, at Kota.
Visitors may explore Ater Fort, a beautiful but dilapidated landmark and historical site near Ater town, 35 km from Bhind
. The fort was built by the Bhadauria kings Badan Singh
, Maha Singh
and Bakhat Singh in 1664-1698. The fort is situated on the banks of the Chambal River and can be reached by bus, jeep or boat.
There are Forest Rest Houses at Bah
and Chakkar Nagar and Public Works Department Inspection Bungalows at Bah and Pinahat
. There are several commercial hotels and Eco Lodges at Agra
, Etawah
and Bah.
The nearest airport is at Agra. The nearest railway station is at Agra. Agra and Mathura are major rail junctions with a number of trains from all over the country. Bharatpur
, Ranthambhor National Park (with change at Bharatpur), Bandhavgarh National Park
(Katni, Umaria) and Kanha National Park
(Jabalpur) are all well serviced by the rail network from Agra.
5400 km² (2,085 sq mi) protected area
Protected areas of India
As of May 2004, the protected areas of India cover , roughly 4.95% of the total surface area.-Classification:India has the following kinds of protected areas, in the sense of the word designated by IUCN:-National Park:...
for critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
Gharial
Gharial
The gharial , , also called Indian gavial or gavial, is the only surviving member of the once well-represented family Gavialidae, a long-established group of crocodilians with long, slender snouts...
Crocodiles and the Red-crowned roof turtle
Kachuga kachuga
Red-crowned roofed turtle is a species of turtle found in South Asia. It was the type species of its former genus Kachuga.-Description:...
and the endangered Ganges River Dolphin. Located near Etawah
Etawah
Etawah is a city on the Yamuna River in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Etawah District. The city was an important center for the Revolt of 1857 . Also is the place of sangam or confluence between Yamuna and Chambal...
in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
. It was declared in 1979 and constitutes a long narrow tri-state eco-reserve co-administered by the states of Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
and Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. The pristine Chambal river
Chambal River
The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning...
cuts through mazes of ravines and hills and leaves many sandy beaches throughout the
425 km (264.1 mi) long sanctuary.
Geography
The 5400 km² (2,085 sq mi) National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary is located along approximately 425 km (264.1 mi) of the Chambal River and its ravines and varies between 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) to 6 km (3.7 mi) wide centered on the river. It lies centered at 26°40′25"N 78°57′0"E. It consists of the large arc described by the Chambal river between Jawahar Sagar DamJawahar Sagar Dam
Jawahar Sagar Dam is a dam across the Chambal River. It is situated 24 kilometres south-west of Kota, Rajasthan, India.-References:*...
at 25°2′14"N 75°40′41"E in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
and the Chambal
Chambal River
The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning...
-Yamuna
Yamuna
The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in northern India...
rivers confluence at 26°29′38"N 79°14′58"E in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
.
Along this arc, two stretches of the Chambal river are protected as the National Chambal Sanctuary. The upper sector centered at 25°6′25"N 75°45′10"E, extends about 27 km (16.8 mi) from Jawahar Sagar Dam to Kota Barrage
Kota Barrage
Kota Barrage is the fourth in the series of Chambal Valley Projects, located about 0.8 km upstream of Kota City in Rajasthan. Water released after power generation at Gandhi Sagar dam, Rana Pratap Sagar dam and Jawahar Sagar Dams, is diverted by Kota Barrage for irrigation in Rajasthan and in...
, and the lower sector, below a 19 km (11.8 mi) gap at Kota
Kota, Rajasthan
Kota , formerly known as Kotah, is a city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located south of state capital, Jaipur. Situated on the banks of Chambal River, the city is the trade centre for an area in which millet, wheat, rice, pulses, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries...
city, extends about 567 km (352.3 mi)
from Keshoraipatan
Keshoraipatan
Keshoraipatan is a city and a municipality in Bundi district in the Indian state of Rajasthan.-Demographics: India census, Keshoraipatan had a population of 21,119. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Keshoraipatan has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national...
in Rajasthan to the Chambal
Chambal River
The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning...
-Yamuna
Yamuna
The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in northern India...
rivers confluence near Bhareh
Bhareh
Bhareh is a town in Eatwah district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India....
town, Etawah district
Etawah District
Etawah district is a district in the southwestern portion of Uttar Pradesh state of India. Etawah town is the district headquarters. Etawah district is part of Kanpur Division. The district covers an area of 2311 km²...
(formerly Auraiya district
Auraiya district
Auraiya district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Auraiya town is the district headquarters.-History:On 17 September 1997 two tehsils named Auraiya and Bidhuna were separated from district Etawah to form the new district named as Auraiya.-Geography:The district of...
), Uttar Pradesh.
History
Administrative approval of the Government of India for the establishment of the National Chambal Sanctuary was conveyed in Order No. 17-74/77-FRY (WL) dated 30 September 1978. The Sanctuary has sanctuary status declared under Section 18(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972Wildlife Protection Act of 1972
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 refers to a sweeping package of legislation enacted in 1972 by the Government of India. Before 1972, India only had five designated national parks...
. Since such a declaration is carried out by individual states for territory falling within their jurisdiction, there are three separate notifications covering the National Chambal Sanctuary - the Madhya Pradesh portion was gazetted in the Government of Madhya Pradesh Notice No. F.15/5/77-10(2) dated 20 December 1978, the Uttar Pradesh portion was gazetted in the Government of Uttar Pradesh Notice No. 7835/XIV-3-103-78 dated 29 January 1979 and the Rajasthan portion was gazetted in the Government of Rajasthan Notice No.F.11(12)Rev.8/78 dated 7 December 1979.
The sanctuary is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary is administered by the Department of Forest under the Project Officer with headquarters at Morena
Morena
Morena is a city and a municipality in Morena district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is also known as Muraina and is the administrative headquarters of Morena District and of Chambal Division. It is 39 km away from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh...
, Madhya Pradesh.
Wildlife
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
Gharial
Gharial
The gharial , , also called Indian gavial or gavial, is the only surviving member of the once well-represented family Gavialidae, a long-established group of crocodilians with long, slender snouts...
crocodile and the Red-crowned roof turtle
Kachuga kachuga
Red-crowned roofed turtle is a species of turtle found in South Asia. It was the type species of its former genus Kachuga.-Description:...
live here, and together with the endangered Ganges River Dolphin are the keystone species
Keystone species
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Such species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and...
of the sanctuary. Other large threatened inhabitants of the sanctuary include Muggar crocodile, Smooth-coated Otter
Smooth-coated Otter
The Smooth-coated Otter is a species of otter, the only extant representative of the genus Lutrogale. The species is found from southern Pakistan and parts of the India east to Southeast Asia, and there is a disjunct population in Iraq...
, Striped Hyaena and Indian Wolf
Indian Wolf
Indian wolf and Iranian Wolf are two common names for Canis lupus pallipes, a subspecies of grey wolf which inhabits western India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and southern Israel. Some experts have suggested at least some C. lupus pallipes populations be re-classified a canid species...
. Chambal supports 8 of the 26 rare turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
species found in India, including Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, Three-striped roof turtle
Kachuga dhongoka
The three-striped roofed turtle is a species of turtle. It was formerly in the genus Kachgua.-Distribution:This species is found in Nepal, Bangladesh, NE India...
and Crowned river turtle. Other reptiles who live here are: Indian flapshell turtle
Indian flapshell turtle
Indian flapshell turtle is a fresh water species of turtle found in South Asia. The “Flap-shelled” name stems from the presence of femoral flaps that are located on the plastron. These flaps of skin serve the purpose of covering the limbs when they retract into the shell. It is unclear what...
, Soft Shell turtle
Trionychidae
Trionychidae is a taxonomic family which comprises a number of turtle genera commonly known as softshells. They are also sometimes called pancake turtles. Softshells consist of some of the world's largest fresh water turtles, though many can adapt to living in highly brackish areas. Members of this...
, Indian roofed turtle, Indian tent turtle and Monitor lizard
Monitor lizard
Monitor lizards are usually large reptiles, although some can be as small as in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semiaquatic monitors are also known...
.
Mammals of less concern who live here include: Rhesus Macaque
Rhesus Macaque
The Rhesus macaque , also called the Rhesus monkey, is one of the best-known species of Old World monkeys. It is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and its tolerance of a broad range of habitats...
, Hanuman Langur, Golden Jackal
Golden Jackal
The golden jackal , also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid of the genus Canis indigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe , Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia...
, Bengal Fox
Bengal Fox
The Bengal fox , also known as the Indian fox, is a fox endemic to the Indian subcontinent and is found from the Himalayan foothills and Terai of Nepal through southern India and from southern and eastern Pakistan to eastern India and southeastern Bangladesh.-Appearance:Vulpes bengalensis is a...
, Common Palm Civet
Common Palm Civet
The Asian Palm Civet , also called Toddy Cat, is a small member of the Viverridae family native to South and Southeast Asia...
, Indian Small Mongoose, Indian Grey Mongoose, Jungle cat
Jungle Cat
The jungle cat is a medium-sized cat and considered the largest remaining species of the wild cat genus Felis. The species is also called the swamp lynx but is not closely related to the lynxes....
, Wild Boar,
Sambar, Nilgai
Nilgai
The nilgai , sometimes called nilgau, is an antelope, and is one of the most commonly seen wild animals of central and northern India and eastern Pakistan; it is also present in parts of southern Nepal. The mature males appear ox-like and are also known as blue bulls...
, Blackbuck
Blackbuck
Blackbuck is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent. Their range decreased sharply during the 20th century. Since 2003, the IUCN lists the species as near threatened....
, Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Northern Palm Squirrel
Northern Palm Squirrel
The Northern Palm Squirrel also called the Five-striped Palm Squirrel is a species of rodent in the Sciuridae family.-Distribution:...
, Porcupine, Indian Hare
Indian Hare
The Indian Hare , also known as the Black-naped Hare, is a common species of hare found in South Asia. and in java....
, Indian Flying Fox and Hedgehog
Indian Long-eared Hedgehog
The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog is a relatively small hedgehog native to India and Pakistan. It is insectivorous and nocturnal. -Description:...
.
The National Chambal Sanctuary is listed as an important bird area
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
(IBA) IN122. and is a proposed Ramsar
Ramsar
Ramsar is a city in and the capital of Ramsar County, Mazandaran Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 31,659, in 9,421 families....
site. At least 320 species of resident and migratory birds inhabit the sanctuary. Migratory birds from Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
form part of its rich avian
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
fauna.
Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
bird species here include the Indian skimmer
Indian Skimmer
The Indian Skimmer is a one of the three species that belong to the skimmer family. They are somewhat tern like but like other skimmers, have a short upper mandible and the longer lower mandible that is ploughed along the surface of water as the bird flies over the water to pick aquatic prey...
., Sarus Crane
Sarus Crane
The Sarus Crane is a large non-migratory crane found in parts of the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height of up to 1.8 m , they are conspicuous and iconic species of open wetlands...
, Pallas's Fish Eagle and Indian Courser
Indian Courser
The Indian Courser is a species of courser found in mainland South Asia, mainly in the plains bounded by the Ganges and Indus river system...
. The Pallid Harrier
Pallid Harrier
The Pale or Pallid Harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. It breeds in southern parts of eastern Europe and central Asia and winters mainly in India and southeast Asia...
and Lesser Flamingo
Lesser Flamingo
The Lesser Flamingo is a species in the flamingo family of birds that resides in Africa and in southern Asia...
s here are near threatened
Near Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
. Winter visitors include Black-bellied Tern
Tern
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily of the gull family Laridae . They form a lineage with the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and auks...
s, Red-crested Pochard
Red-crested Pochard
The Red-crested Pochard is a large diving duck.Their breeding habitat is lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and southern and central Asia. They are somewhat migratory, and northern birds winter further south and into north Africa.The adult male is unmistakable. It has a rounded orange...
and Ferruginous Pochard
Pochard
The Common Pochard, Aythya ferina, is a medium-sized diving duck.The adult male has a long dark bill with a grey band, a red head and neck, a black breast, red eyes and a grey back. The adult female has a brown head and body and a narrower grey bill band. The triangular head shape is distinctive...
and Bar-headed Goose
Bar-headed Goose
The Bar-headed Goose is a goose which breeds in Central Asia in colonies of thousands near mountain lakes and winters in South Asia, as far south as peninsular India. It lays three to eight eggs at a time in a ground nest....
. Other species include Great Thick-knee
Great Thick-knee
The Great Stone-curlew or Great Thick-knee is a large wader which is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka into South-east Asia....
, Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
The Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia , and southern Europe...
s, Darter
Darter
The darters or snakebirds are mainly tropical waterbirds in the family Anhingidae. There are four living species, three of which are very common and widespread while the fourth is rarer and classified as near-threatened by the IUCN. The term "snakebird" is usually used without any additions to...
s, and Brown Hawk Owl
Brown Hawk Owl
The Brown Hawk-Owl is an owl which is a resident breeder in south Asia from India and Sri Lanka east to western Indonesia and south China....
.
Common plants in the sanctuary include Khair (Mimosa catechu Acacia catechu
Acacia catechu
Acacia catechu also commonly called Mimosa catechu, is a deciduous, thorny tree which grows up to in height. The plant is called khair in Hindi, and kachu in Malay, hence the name was Latinized to "catechu" in Linnaean taxonomy, as the type-species from which the extracts cutch and catechu are...
), Palash (Flame of the Forest Butea monosperma
Butea monosperma
Butea monosperma is a species of Butea native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia...
), Churel (Indian Elm Tree Holoptelia integrifolia), Ber (Indian Plum Ziziphus mauritiana
Ziziphus mauritiana
Ziziphus mauritiana, also known as Jujube, Chinee Apple, Indian plum, and permseret , is a tropical fruit tree species belonging to the family Rhamnaceae....
) and Grassy patches on both sides of the river.
Conservation management
The sanctuary is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary is administered by the Department of Forest under the Project Officer with headquarter at MorenaMorena
Morena is a city and a municipality in Morena district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is also known as Muraina and is the administrative headquarters of Morena District and of Chambal Division. It is 39 km away from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh...
, Madhya Pradesh.
Parts of the sanctuary are threatened by extensive illegal sand mining
Sand mining
Sand mining is a practice that is becoming an environmental issue as the demand for sand increases in industry and construction. Sand is mined from beaches and inland dunes and dredged from ocean beds and river beds. It is often used in manufacturing as an abrasive, for example, and it is used to...
, which is endangering the fragile lotic ecosystem
Lotic ecosystem
A lotic ecosystem is the ecosystem of a river, stream or spring. Included in the environment are the biotic interactions as well as the abiotic interactions ....
critical for Gharial breeding.
On December 27, 2010, the Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh born April 9, 1954, is an Indian economist and an influential politician of the Congress Party in the United Progressive Alliance ruling coalition of center-left political parties heading the Government of India. He is a Member of Parliament representing Andhra Pradesh state in the...
, during a visit to the Madras Crocodile Bank
Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is a reptile zoo and herpetology research station, located south of the city of Chennai, in state of Tamil Nadu, India. The centre is both a registered trust and a recognized zoo under the Wildlife Act, 1972 and is India's leading...
, announced the formation of a National Tri-State Chambal Sanctuary Management and Coordination Committee for gharial conservation on 1600 km² (617.8 sq mi) of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The Committee members will comprise representatives of three states' Water Resources Ministries, states' Departments of Irrigation and Power, Wildlife Institute of India
Wildlife Institute of India
The Wildlife Institute of India is a autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.WII carries out wildlife research in areas of study like Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Wildlife Policy, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Forensics, Spatial Modeling,...
, Madras Crocodile Bank, the Gharial Conservation Alliance, Development Alternatives, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Worldwide Fund for Nature and the Divisional Forest officers of the three states. The Committee will plan strategies for protection of gharials and their habitat. It will conduct further research on the species and its ecology and evaluate the related socio-economic elements of dependent riparian communities. Funding for this new initiative will be mobilized as a sub-scheme of the ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ in the amount of Rs. 50 to 80 million (USD 1 million to 1.7 million) each year for five years. This project has long been advocated by herpetologist Rom Whitaker.
Visitor activities
There are many nature watching opportunities available for the visitors to the National Chambal Sanctuary. The best opportunities for sighting and photography of Gharial and Dolphins can be had by hiring a boat with experienced driver and guide, available at several points along the river. A boat excursion will also offer many good viewpoints for photography of water and shore birds and unique landscapes. Walking trails in the ravines and along the river offer opportunities for close observation of the wide variety of plants and animals in the Sanctuary.There are public vehicle entry points to Chambal Sanctuary at Pinahat
Pinahat
Pinahat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Agra district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Demographics:At the 2001 India census, Pinahat had a population of 17,028. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. Pinahat had an average literacy rate of 52%, lower than the national...
, Nandagon Ghat, Sehson and Bharch. Boating and visiting arrangements can be made with the help of the Wildlife Conservator Office, at Kota.
Visitors may explore Ater Fort, a beautiful but dilapidated landmark and historical site near Ater town, 35 km from Bhind
Bhind
Bhind is a town in Bhind District, Madhya Pradesh, India.The chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar at Alampur is great archaeology chhatri in Bhind district-Demographics:...
. The fort was built by the Bhadauria kings Badan Singh
Badan Singh
Marharajah Badan Singh was the formal founder of the princely state of Bharatpur. He was nephew of Churaman.He was born in Jat family. After the death of Churaman on 22 September 1721 there were family disputes between Badan Singh and Mohkam, son of Churaman. Badan Singh aligned with Jai Singh II...
, Maha Singh
Maha Singh
Maha Singh Upon the death of his father, Charat Singh , he succeeded to the leadership of the Sukerchakia Misl. His son Ranjit Singh succeeded him and established the Sikh Empire...
and Bakhat Singh in 1664-1698. The fort is situated on the banks of the Chambal River and can be reached by bus, jeep or boat.
There are Forest Rest Houses at Bah
Bah
Bah is a city in Agra District of Uttar Pradesh in India.-Demographics: India census, Bah had a population of 14,593. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%.-Overview:Location and Name...
and Chakkar Nagar and Public Works Department Inspection Bungalows at Bah and Pinahat
Pinahat
Pinahat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Agra district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Demographics:At the 2001 India census, Pinahat had a population of 17,028. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. Pinahat had an average literacy rate of 52%, lower than the national...
. There are several commercial hotels and Eco Lodges at Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
, Etawah
Etawah
Etawah is a city on the Yamuna River in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Etawah District. The city was an important center for the Revolt of 1857 . Also is the place of sangam or confluence between Yamuna and Chambal...
and Bah.
The nearest airport is at Agra. The nearest railway station is at Agra. Agra and Mathura are major rail junctions with a number of trains from all over the country. Bharatpur
Bharatpur, India
Bharatpur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. Located in the Brij region, Bharatpur was once an impregnable, well-planned and well-fortified city, and the capital of Jat kingdom ruled by Sinsinwar Maharajas.The trio of Bharatpur, Deeg and...
, Ranthambhor National Park (with change at Bharatpur), Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the popular national parks in India located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968 with an area of 105 km². The buffer is spread over the forest divisions of Umaria and Katni and totals 437 km²...
(Katni, Umaria) and Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is a national park and a Tiger Reserve in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. In the 1930s, Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 km² . Kanha National Park was created on 1 June, 1955. Today it stretches over an...
(Jabalpur) are all well serviced by the rail network from Agra.