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In Madhya Pradesh, the Kuno-Palpur National Park is still waiting the arrival of Gir lions from Gujarat but there is some reason for enthusiasts including aquatic wildlife to rejoice over latest development. Recently on the Kuno River bank, Gharial eggs for hatching/ nesting, were spotted by forest officials. Though the female has moved to some other location following onset of rainy season, it is an exciting phenomenon, said DFO PK Verma. During monsoon season when muddy water starts flowing into the river, the monitoring of reptile becomes all the more difficult as they keep changing their habitats, he added..The Kuno- Palpur National Park is situated in Sheopur district.
A tributary of Chambal, the Kuno river flowing inside and along the forest cover of Kuno-Palpur National Park with area covering approx 748 sq km was notified in 2018. The protected area was established as wildlife sanctuary in 1981. Following which 24 villages containing 1545 families were affected and relocated to nearby places in Karhal Sub- Division. In addition to this relocation programme for one more village identified as Bagacha having population of approx 245 families (Sahariya Tribal) is on the cards, said Verma. A sum of Rs 12.50 cr out of total 26 cr rehabilitation package has been collected by local administration for implementation.
Gharial classified as critically endangered is among the 22 Crocodilian species including three found in India, finds a natural habitat in Chambal expanses of open sand which was declared as Crocodile Sanctuary and later National Chambal Sanctuary spanning length of approx 435 km. With the purpose of its conservation, the Crocodile and Fresh Water Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at Deori in Morena district was established in 1981. The Crocodile rearing complex comprising one hatchery, one nursery pool, two hatchling pools and interpretation centre is one the best managed centre, claimed Dr RK Sharma who was instrumental in setting up the project there. He maintained the captive reared gharials grown upto 1.2 mtrs or 120 cm length are then released in different rivers such as Ken, Son and Chambal. Sharma though skeptical was jubilant to learn the spotting of gharial eggs near Veerpur range of Kuno River bed.
Accrding to DFO PK Verma the department will incorporate the idea (gharial relocation into Kuno) in the management plan which is nearing final stage for compliance at state government level.If approved more number of gharials will be brought in and released in Kuno River only to achieve tag of “New Home” for Gharials. So if the translocation of Gir Lions in Kuno National Park doesn’t materialize sooner than later, it will be Kuno River to swap the tag of Gharial habitat.
