Rare gharials appear in Kailali rivers

By Abinash Chaudhary, Dhangadhi, Aug. 23: A rare species of gharial, which is listed as critically endangered, has started appearing in good numbers in the tributaries of Kailali rivers.

Recovering numbers of gharial, a family of crocodiles, have started appearing in the tributaries of Karnali River including Mohana, Pathraiya, Kadha and Kandra more than in the past. 

According to local conservationist Bhojraj Dhungana, there are around two dozen fish eater gharials in the dolphin conservation area. Gharials that reached various tributaries after the onset of the monsoon, probably came from the Karnali River, he said.

The gharials found in most countries in South Asia during the 1850s are now limited to Nepal and India. Chambal in India is the place with the highest number of gharials. Katarniya Ghat Sanctuary is the second most famous spot for the species. 

Bardiya and Chitwan National Parks of Nepal also have a good number of gharials. The number of gharials has been increased by establishing gharial breeding centres in both the parks.

It is confirmed that there are 198 gharials in Nepal as per the census in 2016. During the census, 84 gharials were recorded in Narayani River, 82 in Rapti River, 31 in Babai, and only one in Karnali River. Out of these, only six were males. 

Dhungana said that gharials do not stay in Mohana, Pathraiya, Kadha, and Kandra in winter. They live here only as long as there is a sufficient flow of water in the river and return to the Karnali River.

Magar crocodiles live in different rivers throughout the year while gharials return to Karnali like dolphins, he said. It is said that all the gharials appearing in the tributaries are females. Male and female can be easily separated because male gharials sport a large growth on their snout called a ghara.

Like dolphins, gharials eat fish and prefer to live in clean and running water. In general, it is said that dolphins do not allow crocodiles to live near them. However, there is an understanding at the local level that the relation between gharials and dolphins is ‘Deurani-Jethani’ (wives of brothers) and therefore get along with each other.

In Kailali, there are two species of crocodiles, the gharial and Magar crocodile. Magar crocodiles live in ponds while gharials live in the rivers throughout the year. Magar crocodiles are more aggressive than gharials, Dhungana said.