National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary

National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Location	Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan, India
Nearest city	Morena Dholpur Bhind Etawah
Area	5,400 km²
Established	1978
Governing body	Department Of Forest

The National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary in India was founded in 1979 and is part of a large area co-administered by the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, within an area of 5,400 square kilometres along the Chambal River. Approximately 400 km of the river is within the reserve, forming the core area. Apart from the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the other inhabitants of the sanctuary include magar (crocodile) and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). Stretch of crystal clear water also supports Marsh Crocodile, Smooth-coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata), 6 species of Terrapins/Turtles plus 250 species of birds. Migratory birds from Siberia forms its rich avian fauna.One of the rare bird present here is Indian Skimmers. Black-bellied Terns, Red-crested Pochard and Ferruginous Pochard, Bar-headed Goose, Sarus Crane, Great Thick-knee, Indian Courser, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Greater Flamingos and Lesser Flamingos, Darters, and Brown Hawk Owl and many other birds are part of the sanctuary's rich fauna.The sanctuary is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The sanctuary is administered by the Department of Forest under the Project Officer with headquarter at Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Part of the sanctuary is under heavy illegal sand mining, which is endangering its fragile ecosystem.

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