SUBMITTED TO KASARA, CHITWAN

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1 SUBMITTED TO KASARA, CHITWAN SUBMITTED BY ASSISTANT CONSERVATION OFFICER CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK MAY, 2007

2 1. Background Crocodilians, in general, are recognized as 'keystone species' of their environment that maintain ecosystem structure and function by selective predation of fish species, recycling nutrients and maintenance of wet refugia in droughts (Ross, 1998). According to IUCN, a loss of any species of crocodilian would represent a significant loss of biodiversity, economic potential and ecosystem stability (IUCN, 1998 as cited in Deppert, 2004). The Gharial Crocodile (Gavialis gangeticus) got its name derived from Hindi language referring to 'Ghara' (means pot in Hindi), a swelling around the nostrils of mature males. This long snouted crocodile which is one of the largest of 23 species of living crocodilians (males up to 6-7 m) is more adapted to an aquatic lifestyle in the calmer areas of deep fast-moving rivers. Gharial, the marvelous creation of nature, once used to inhabit most of the river systems of South East Asian countries, but now its occurrence has been curtailed to very limited areas. Some critical studies have suggested today it is extremely rare in India and Nepal and virtually extirpated from Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar (Ross, 1998). In Nepal, major distribution of Gharial used to be in Karnali, Narayani and Babai rivers while few were also found in Mahakali, Kaligandaki and Saptakoshi rivers. But now there exists only remnant population confined to relatively small areas of major rivers. Because of the worldwide-threatened status the species, it has been enlisted in appendix I of Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), and in 'endangered' category of The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red Data Book. According to Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) 2007, the species will be reclassified as 'Critically Endangered' under 2007 IUCN Red List due to its continued deterioration. Government of Nepal has also included Gharial in its list of protected wildlife by documenting it in National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, The severe impact of ever increasing human population is primarily responsible for the shrinkage and degradation of Gharial habitat thereby resulting in the decline of its number at an alarming rate. In Nepal, the problem of habitat loss accelerated since the mid 1950s, when an intensive malaria eradication programme opened the Terai for habitation (Andrews and McEachern, 1994). Killing of the crocodile for its skin, hunting of its eggs for food and medicine by the people are some direct threats to its existence. Likewise, fishing activities, construction of dams in major rivers and pollution from industrial effluents are some indirect threats to its long-term survival. Gharial is one of the "flagship" species of Chitwan National Park. Narayani and Rapti rivers of Chitwan National Park and the adjacent areas are still considered as good habitat for the Gharial. However, even these areas are not free from disturbances and pollutions. Government 1

3 of Nepal, while trying to conserve Gharial, established a Gharial Conservation Centre in Chitwan National Park in 1978 with the support from Frankfurt Zoological Society. The major activities of this centre are collection of Gharial eggs before annual flooding cycle, raising of the hatchlings in captivity and releasing them into their natural habitats when they are 1 to 2 meter in length. Gharials raised by this centre have been released regularly since 1981 into Narayani, Rapti, Kaligandaki, Saptakoshi, Karnali and Babai Rivers (CNP, 2004). 2. Objective Status of Gharial, in Narayani and Rapti rivers of Chitwan National Park, has been regularly monitored since last few years. As a continuation to this program, a Gharial monitoring study was completed this year on February 2007 in order to find its general status. Specific objectives of the study were to: 1. document the numbers of Gharial through direct observation and indirect information, 2. identify the distribution pattern of Gharial across Narayani and Rapti Rivers 3. identify the prevailing threats militating against the lasting survival of Gharial 3. Study Area The monitoring study was carried out in the segments of Narayani and Rapti rivers inside Chitwan National Park (Figure 1). Rapti River flows through the Northern boarder of CNP almost from east to west, while Narayani River passes through the western part of the park from North to South direction following a much-convoluted course. Earlier studies have disclosed that these river systems are good habitat for Gharial. The whole study area was divided into following four sectors so as to compare the relative distribution of the species. 1. Sunachuri to Kasara - Rapti River 2. Kasara to Rapti-Narayani Confluence Rapti River 3. Shikhrauli to Amaltari Narayani River 4. Amaltari to Triveni Narayani River 2

Fig 1. River Systems in Chitwan National Park 4. Materials and Methods A total of ten people (including park technicians, wildlife practitioners and ecologists) were involved in the study team.

4 Fig 1. River Systems in Chitwan National Park 4. Materials and Methods A total of ten people (including park technicians, wildlife practitioners and ecologists) were involved in the study team. Total members were divided into two groups to monitor different rivers. The monitoring team had to travel through the river course via boats for which boatmen were engaged. One boat and two boatmen were hired by each group. Field gears like binocular, GPS, and digital camera were used in the study. The monitoring team travelled through the rivers everyday from around AM to nearly 4:30 PM. While traveling, team members observed both the banks and main course of the river using binocular. Every time a Gharial was encountered it was recorded into the format which was developed for this very purpose. The monitoring format was designed to include the information like Location, GPS point, Sex, Age and other remarks for each citation. Indirect information was collected simultaneously through the discussion with boatmen and fisherman randomly selected across the study route. Citations made by these people up to seven days prior to the monitoring time were recorded. While doing so, the team was cautious in not duplicating the records with the ones gathered from direct observation. Moreover, other information regarding the river pollution and threats to Gharial were also noted down by the team members. It took four days each for two teams to travel through the whole study area and complete the monitoring work. 3

5 5. Results and Discussion 5.1. Gharial Number Direct Observation The monitoring team observed a total of 39 Gharials from the designated sections of Rapti and Narayani Rivers (Table 1). Out of the total, 20 were observed in Rapti River and 19 in Narayani River. Result showed far more citations of female compared to Male. This may be a general trend in Gharial population but the observation procedure itself might have exaggerated the variation as it was difficult to distinguish between a male and a female from a distant point possibly leading to a higher toll in female and unidentified groups. Furthermore, it was hard to discern between a juvenile and a female unless it was distinctively adult enough. Table 1: Record of Direct Observation of Gharial S.N. Place Male Female Juvenile Unidentified Total 1 Sunachuri to Kasara Kasara to Rapti- Narayani confluence Shikrauli to Amaltari Amaltari to Triveni Total Another major limitation of the study was that it could not record the Gharials underneath the water, unless they were close enough to be observed. The team had not had the equipments like spotlights which could make the observation of Gharial under the water possible. In other countries we can find many cases where such sophisticated equipments are used in the monitoring work. For instance, in Vietnam population of Saimese Crocodiles is monitored by a team in canoe using a spotlight to count the eye shines of crocodiles (Polet, 2004) Indirect Information Not any Gharial was recorded in Rapti River with indirect method. However, there were 11 more Gharials documented from Narayani River (Table 2) with this method. Like in the case of direct observation, number of female is higher with no records of male citation at all. 4

6 Table 2: Record from Indirect Information S.N. Place Male Female Juvenile Unidentified Total 1 Shikrauli to Amaltari Amaltari to Triveni Total Distribution of Gharial Some portions of the study area had higher citations of Gharial compared to the others. Kasara to Rapti - Narayani Confluence part of Rapti River had the least number of Gharial observed while Sunachuri to Kasara Sector of same River had higher number of citation (Table 1). This slight difference might be partly related to the variation in the span of different parts. Nonetheless, we can say that the distribution pattern of Gharial is roughly even across Rapti and Narayani River. Bhalauji Ghat of Narayani River lies south to Baguban area. Here the Narayani River becomes narrow and very deep passing between two hills. This particular location provided the best citation of Gharial. Here six Gharials were seen at a single spot. Obviously, this place seems to be a good habitat for Gharial. Having observed two nestings, the study team is pretty sure of natural breeding of Gharial in this area. Khoriya Muhan of Narayani River and Charara area of Rapti River are just next to Bhelauji area with a total of five Gharial citations in each of these areas. Consequently, these areas also proved to be good habitats for the Gharial. As per the indirect information through boatmen and fishermen, Gharial eggs were seen in Dhindauli area of Narayani River again giving good indication of natural breeding in that area also Threats to Gharial Direct Threats Illegal collection of Gharial eggs by the local people for eating purpose has been a continuous threat to the survival of the species. It has direct adverse impact on the natural breeding of the species. Besides, untenable fishing activities in these rivers have also created equally ominous problems. Gharial is solely dependent on fish for food so any reduction in the number of fishes in the river has a huge negative impact on its existence. Moreover, large fishing nets (Tiyari Jaal/Maha Jaal) used by the fishermen in most of the occasions traps the Gharial hurting it very badly. And sometimes, the nets also get entangled into the snout of Gharial causing serious injuries. 5

7 Despite the continuous efforts of Chitwan National Park its Buffer Zone and different conservation partners in the conservation of Gharial, these hazardous activities are going on. At the same time one can not however deny the fact that these activities have been cut down lower than they used to be ten or fifteen years back. Reestablishment of crocodile (Siamese Crocodile) in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam has clearly revealed that the original causes of the decline of the crocodiles should be removed for any re-establishment programme to be successful (Polet, 2004). That is why, there is still more to do in order to make the people aware about the importance of the species and motivate them to give up these harmful practices. However, only the awareness or motivation programme is no way sufficient to fulfil our purpose. It is equally important to give alternative means of livelihood to the people who are completely or partially dependent in the collection of Gharial eggs and the fishing activities for their living Indirect Threats Industrial effluents which are being released to the rivers at different locations are seriously polluting the water thereby affecting the whole aquatic ecosystem. Most of these industrial wastes are released into the rivers in the upstream areas before those river enter into the National Park. Hence, coping of this problem certainly demands for coordination at a much broader level that would involve different related sectors. For the long-lasting existence of Gharial in our rivers, we should show high urgency and come up with some concrete efforts at the earliest. Usage of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the agricultural field in the adjacent areas are also affecting these rivers considerably. It demands for some level of awareness programs about harmful effects of these chemicals not only to the aquatic flora and fauna but also to the human beings and livestock. Potential of transforming the present kind of agricultural practice into organic farming, at least in the adjoining cultivated lands of these rivers, could be sought for. There is certainly a good scope for the organic products these days in national and international markets. If this transformation would be possible, it will be quite beneficial for the local people as well as for the biodiversity conservation Conclusions The Gharial monitoring team observed thirty nine Gharials across the study segments in Rapti and Narayani Rivers. Eleven additional Gharials were recorded from the same area with the information from boatmen and fishermen. The monitoring, hence, documented a total of fifty 6

8 Gharials from the study area. Number of Gharial crocodiles in these rivers seems to be below the satisfactory level. Even after years of effort of raising Gharial crocodile in captivity and releasing them into these rivers, the situation has not been improved drastically. Data suggests the distribution pattern of the species in these rivers is roughly even. Nonetheless, some pocket areas are identified along the rivers where there are comparatively higher number of Gharials than in other areas. Hazardous practices like Gharial egg collection and fishing in these rivers by the poor people are not boding well for the lasting survival of the species. Likewise, effluents from the factories at the river banks and chemical pollutants from the nearby cultivated lands flowing into the river are making the things even more serious. Hence, it is really critical that these challenges in Gharial conservation be addressed immediately or there will be no other fate than to lose this distinct creature Recommendations Awareness programmes about the conservation of Gharial crocodile and income generation activities should be launched especially to the group of people who depend on river for their livelihood. Awareness programmes should try to focus on discouraging the local people from using large fishing nets in the river. Similarly, income generation programmes should make an effort to divert the people from river based living towards alternative ways of livelihood. Monitoring by the park is equally essential along with the awareness and income generation activities. Chitwan National Park should increase its monitoring and river patrolling activities so as to check different types of illegal activities. Inter-sectoral coordination meetings, among different concerned authorities, are recommended in order to craft some applicable schemes to control industrial pollution in these rivers. Potential must be explored in converting the current agricultural practices into organic farming in the farmlands nearby of Rapti and Narayani rivers. Farmers can get added economic benefits from organic farming without leaving any adverse effects to the biodiversity and ecosystem. Gharial crocodile should be monitored in these rivers within regular interval of time to get updated information on its status and also for further necessary actions. Latest technologies and equipments in crocodile monitoring should be applied for our Gharial monitoring also in order to get better results. 7

9 References Andrews, H. V. and McEachern P Crocodile Conservation in Nepal. Crocodile Conservation Project. The World Conservation Union CNP, Annual Report 2003/2004. Royal Chitwan National Park and Buffer Zone. Royal Chitwan National Park, Kasara, Chiwan (In Nepali). CSG, Crocodiline Species: Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). Crocodilian Specialist Group. and (webpage visited on 13 July 2007) Deppert, O. E The Gharial (Gavialis gangetics) and Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and their survival in Bangladesh. Senior Project. American International School. Dhaka. Polet, G Re-establishment of Crocodylus siamenis in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam. Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter. Volume 23 No. 4 Ross, J. P. (ed.) Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Second Edition. IUCN/SSC. Crocodile Specialist Group. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK 8

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