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Conservation > Gharials People |
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Photo : Rom Whitaker |
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Gharials & People |
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The fate of the gharial is inextricably linked to fate
of people, and both depend on healthy rivers for
survival. People living along the rivers where gharials
still survive are farmers, pastoralists, fishermen, and
general laborers. Crocodiles in general have never been
loved but most river dwellers recognize that gharials
don’t pose any great threat to humans or livestock.
Gharials do eat fish, however, and prefer the same deep
water areas that are popular with gill-netting
fishermen. Conflicts with gharials have increased in
recent years as traditional fishing methods such as
throw nets, hook and line, and scoop nets were replaced
with modern nylon gills nets, which are responsible for
a significant number of gharial deaths each year.
Because gharials eat fish they are often blamed for the
drop in fish populations or are seen as competition for
this resource, and therefore killed. |
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| But the Indian Gharial is also traditionally a sacred
animal. . The “vahana” or vehicle of the river goddess
Ma Ganga is a crocodile, and especially in gharial range
areas she has often been depicted astride a gharial. One
of the challenges of gharial conservation today is to
rekindle the respect and reverence of the people for
this ancient animal. In order to achieve this needs of
local people living alongside the gharial must be
considered, and conservation solutions will have to be
found that are mutually beneficial for both people and
wildlife. |
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The HIndu Goddess Ma Ganga riding a gharial
Drawing: Rebecca Davenport |
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Past conservation efforts did not involve local people
enough, and when protected areas were declared local
people lost the rights to natural resources they had
enjoyed for generations. This caused many to feel
resentment toward the gharials and conservation efforts.
Past experience has shown that the goals of gharial
conservation will not be achieved until the needs of the
people living alongside gharials are met.
The GCA is working toward finding solutions to this
dilemma through community education and eco-development
programs to improve the quality of life of riparian
people and achieve conservation goals. This may include
alternative livelihood programs for people currently
employed by illegal fishing and other environmentally
destructive industries. Ultimately the health of the
rivers will determine the fate of both riparian people
and gharials. As riparian people are the ultimate
guardians of the rivers the fate of rivers depends on
their cooperation in conservation efforts. |
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