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GCA |
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| Photo : Laurel Converse |
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| Current Research |
The GCA, members, and partner organizations are
conducting research to better understand ghaials and
their needs
in order to develop and carry out efficient conservation
strategies.
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Population Surveys and Monitoring
Population monitoring surveys are vital to determine the
status of gharial populations and monitor the success of
conservation efforts, to devise future conservation
strategies, and to provide concrete information to
governments to advise policy. A survey of the Chambal
River was recently completed (April 2007). Surveys of
other known and potential gharial habitat areas will be
conducted later this year. These surveys will be
continued annually or biannually.
Hatchling Survival and Dispersal
GCA members and partners in the field are monitoring
gharial nests, hatching rates, and hatchling survival. A
satellite-tracking study will be carried out with
hatchlings released into the Mahanadi River in Orissa to
determine their survival rates and track their dispersal
movements. Similar tracking studies would be extremely
beneficial for gharial population management and to
determine the effectiveness of restocking programs. If
wild releases are to be carried out monitoring such as
this will be necessary. The GCA is seeking to carry out
similar studies throughout gharial range areas.
Gharial Information Database (GID)
The GCA has initiated the creation of a Gharial
Information Database, combining all past and current
population data, ecological data, captive breeding and
husbandry information, and other relevant biological
data on gharials. The GID will be continually updated as
future surveys and research are conducted.
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| Research by Region |
| India |
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National Chambal Sanctuary,
Chambal River |
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Population survey and
monitoring |
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Nesting surveys |
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Katerniaghat Wildlife
Sanctuary, Girwa River |
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Nesting, hatchling
survival/dispersal |
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Population surveys and monitoring |
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Son Gharial Sanctuary, Son
River |
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Population surveys and monitoring |
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Ken Gharial Sanctuary, Ken River |
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Population surveys and monitoring |
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Sathkosia Gorge Sanctuary,
Mahanadi, Orissa |
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Post-release monitoring of
captive bred gharials-satellite telemetry |
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Corbett National Park,
Ramganga River |
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Population surveys and monitoring |
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Brahmaputra |
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Population surveys and
habitat suitability assessment |
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Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary,
West Bengal |
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“Soft release” of captive
bred gharial and post-release monitoring |
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Bihar |
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Population surveying and
habitat suitability assessment |
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Nepal |
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Royal Chitwan National Park, Rapti-Naranyani Rivers |
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Population surveys
and monitoring |
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Bhutan |
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Captive breeding |
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Pakistan |
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| Research
Priorities |
The following
are studies the GCA has determined need to be
carried out in the near future.
If you are a postgraduate student or researcher
interested in carrying out a study, please
contact us.
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Sustained research on
hatchling survival, dispersal and migration of
all size classes of gharials and refinements of
supplementation techniques. |
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Research on river water management and impact of
dams, barrages, canals, pollution, and excessive
water extraction on water levels and flow. |
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A study on gharial fishing techniques and fish
ecology with a view to mitigate conflicts with
people. |
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Study on gharials' relationship with
commercially valuable fish to determine whether
they are beneficial or detrimental to fisheries. |
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Study and mapping of threats such as fishing,
sand-mining, riverbed cultivation, and pollution
resulting in solutions. |
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Study the issue of sand-mining and see if it can
be done sustainably without damage to the
Chambal River’s geology (ground water, erosion,
siltation) and ecology. |
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Study of the relationship of gharials and mugger
to determine whether an increase in mugger
numbers is detrimental to gharial survival. |
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