Nayagarh: Despite the sustained efforts put in by the Forest department, Gharial population in Satkosia gorge of Mahanadi river in the district has failed to witness a rise over the years, a report stated. As many as 880 gharials have been released into Satkosia gorge in the last 46 years, but only eight of them were found during the 2023 crocodile census. This has sparked concerns among nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Experts are curious if the dwindling population of the reptiles was due to them being swept away, or migrated to other areas in the river or deaths after failing to get acclimatised to the living conditions in the gorge. They demanded a probe to unravel the actual reason behind the decline in gharial population.
Nevertheless, the decline in the reptile population has been a matter of serious concerns for all. Surprisingly, the population of Muggers stands at 39 in the Satkosia gorge as per the 2023 census. It was 50 during 2019 census, and 52 in 2020. At present, Muggers have outnumbered Gharials. Sources said that the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary falls in close vicinity of Angul, Boudh and Nayagarh districts. The state government has formed forest divisions in Angul and Nayagarh districts for the protection of tiger and crocodile populations in Angul, Boudh and Nayagarh districts. The Kusang and Chhamundia forest ranges are in Nayagarh under the Mahanadi forest and wildlife divisions. A total of 867 Gharials have been released into Satkosia gorge, which includes 26 in 1977, 56 in 1978, 25 in 1980, 43 in 1982, 32 in 1984, 100 in 1985, 124 in 1986, 126 in 1987, 18 in 1988, 59 in 1989, 78 in 1995, 51 in 1996, 105 in 1998, five in 2004, four in 2015, eight in 2016, five in 2019 and two in 2020. The report on the release of the rest of the gharials into the Satkosia gorge is yet to be available. Of these 867 reptiles, 523 were brought from Nandankanan and some of them were released into Satkosia gorge between 1986 and 2014. The rest of the Gharials were released into Tikarpada Crocodile Breeding Centre in Angul.
However, seven of the Gharials brought from Nandankanan have died. Given the situation, the decline in Gharial population has sparked serious concerns. The crocodile census report states that there were 11 Gharials in 1975-76, three in 2002-03, one in 2003-04, three in 2004-05, two in 2005-06, two in 2006-07, three in 2007-08, three in 2008-09, three in 2009-10, three in 2010-11, two in 2011-12, two in 2012-13, two in 2013-14, one in 2014-15, three in 2015-16, nine in 2016-17, seven in 2017-18 and eight in 2018-19. On the other hand, there were three Gharials in 2020 as per reports, and later their number increased to five after two more were released into the gorge. The 2021 report states that there were six Gharials and later 12 more were released into the gorge. The 2023 report states there were eight Gharials and 39 Muggers in the gorge. Around 25 Gharials laid eggs in 2021. Similarly, 30 eggs were laid in 2022 and 35 in 2023 which later hatched.
However, these Gharials are now allegedly missing from the gorge. Recently, 35 hatchlings were born May 25. When contacted, DFO Falguni Sarathi Mallick said Gharials are docile as compared to Muggers. The attack on Gharials by Muggers is on the increase. He, however, admitted that the population of Gharials is fast declining despite frequent release of the reptiles into the Satkosia gorge.
