CHITWAN, JANUARY 17
A recent census conducted by the Chitwan National Park (CNP) found 352 Ghariyal crocodiles in Rapti and Narayani rivers.
While the Rapti river had 206 Ghariyals, a total of 146 Ghariyals were tracked in the Narayani river, according to the Park.
Ghariyal is an endangered reptile. Its existence has been restricted to Nepal and India lately. Earlier it would be found in Pakisan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.
According to Abinash Thapa Magar, Information Officer of the Park, nine surveyors conducted the survey for 14 days starting from December 27, 2024 in these rivers that flow through the Park.
Among the Ghariyals found in Rapti river this year, two were male while there were three male Ghariyals in Narayani river, Magar said.
The census has shown a slight increase in the number of the reptiles in both rivers compared to the last year. Last year, 152 Ghariyals were traced in Rapti river and 113 in Narayani river.
The spike in the number of crocodiles of this species is attributed to the routine release of crocodiles' hatchlings to these rivers, assessed Magar.
CNP had released 20 crocodiles' hatchlings in Rapti river prior to the census, it was shared.
So far, 2,018 crocodiles, some juvenile, some sub-adult and some adult ones, have been released in various rivers across the country including Rapti and Narayani, according to the Park.
Crocodiles' eggs are collected from riverbanks and hatched in an artificial condition at the Breeding Centre at Kasara of Chitwan and released in the river later, he explained.
Currently, there are 139 Ghariyal crocodiles at the Centre.