Cash reward for rescuing gharials
- The Mahanandi Wildlife Division in Odisha announced a cash reward of Rs 1,000 for rescuing gharials, a critically endangered crocodile species, and informing wildlife personnel.
- The division will also provide compensation to fishermen, whose fishing nets are destroyed by gharials.
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The population of gharials in the area was on a decline over the last few years and had reduced to just eight in January 2021.
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It spiked to 36 when 28 gharials were born last month in the Satkosia gorge of Mahanadi at Tikarpada, Angul district.
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The gharial is listed in schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and also described as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
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Their habitat is threatened because of human encroachment and fishing activities.
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They are genetically weaker than saltwater crocodiles and muggers.