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There are mainly three species of Indian Crocodile, namely, Mugger or Fresh Water
crocodile (Crocodilus palustris);Estuarine crocodile (Crocodilus porosus);
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). All the three species were found in West
Bengal. The present status of Mugger or fresh water crocodile and Gharial are
unknown. But few specimen of Gharial were rescued from the river Bhagirathi-Hooghly
in Howrah. A reintroduction programme has been taken up as per recommendations
of Wildlife Advisory Board for West Bengal. Six Gharials brought from Uttar Pradesh
were released in Gorumara National Park in 1998.
| …they
are killed to
the point of extinction…
| The
Estuarine crocodile is found in the Gangetic delta of Sunderban estuary in good
numbers. Artificial hatching & rearing had been initiated. The Sunderbans estuary
covers an area of 4389 sq.km and forms suitable natural haunt for estuarine crocodile.
This species in the past was in abundance in the mangrove
forests, but for the value of its skin, were mercilessly killed to such an extent
as to threaten the species with extinction.
To maintain the ecology
of the Sunderbans it was felt necessary
to initiate a project for crocodiles within its natural home for preservation
by rearing, conserving and promoting breeding facilities. Bhagabatpur Crocodile
Project situated in 24-Parganas Division started functioning since 1976-77.
Click
for a crocodile
distribution map...
| …332
crocs have
been released…
| The
estuarine crocodile in general lays her eggs during May-June each year. Wildlife
department staff search for the wild crocodile nest in the Sunderbans ending May
each year. After a nest has been located, the eggs are collected carefully by
hand and kept in wooden box filled with artificially made nest building materials
after making the top and direction with the help of hard compass on each egg.
If the eggs are turned or jarred, the delicate embryo is likely to die. Care is
taken to collect eggs during the cooler part of the day as drastic temperature
change would be harmful.
The
eggs are placed in the artificially made nest in specially made hatchery at Bhagabatpur
fully covered by wire-mesh. The only access to this enclosure is through the trap
door on the roof. A steady temperature of 30° -50° C is maintained inside the
nest. The rate of success of artificial hatching is nearly 60%.So far a total
of 332 crocodiles have been released in different rivers of Sunderban till 1998.
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