TyMilsom

Forest staff clueless over ghariyal's death

KANPUR: The mysterious death of an alligator (ghariyal) in the river Chambal in Etawah district on Monday evening has once again foxed the forest
department.

The dead ghariyal was one-year-old and was found floating near the tail point of the river between Mahuan Sona and Patharra village of Etawah district, informed Dr Rajiv Chauhan, secretary, Society for Conservation of Nature (SCN), an NGO working for the conservation of ghariyals.

"Soon after spotting the alligator, we intimated the forest department but they are yet to locate it," said Dr Chauhan while talking to TOI.

After the forest staff failed to trace the dead alligator, they sought the help of SCN.

The cause of alligator's death is yet to be ascertained as the combing operation in the Chambal was still continuing when the last report came in.

"Till the time we trace it, we cannot say whether the ghariyal was a male or female," said a forest department official.

"The ghariyal might have become a victim of some hunters," said Rajeev Chauhan, secretary, Society for the Conservation of Nature. He, however, blamed the authorities for ghariyal deaths in recent times. Despite the ban, fishing continues in the Chambal sanctuary, he added.

The alligators are considered to be among the most endangered species. According to a survey, the Indian ghariyal (Gavialis Gangeticus) is on the red list of critically endangered species this year. The estimated population of ghariyals in the country is around 2,000.

An alligator's lifespan is usually estimated to be in the range of 50 years or more, informed a member of the Society for Conservation of Nature. This NGO had reported the first death of an alligator on 9 December, 2007. By the end of March 2008, nearly 112 ghariyals had died.

"We are trying to locate the carcass at the reported spot but are yet to recover it," said Sahasveer Singh, section incharge, forest department.

The main habitat for crocodiles and alligators in India include rivers Chambal, Girwa, Rapti and Narayani in central and northern India.

Forest staff clueless over ghariyal's death-Kanpur-Cities-The Times of India