After 50 yrs, gharials to make a comeback in Harike

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11

After going extinct for more than half a century, wild fish eating crocodiles (gharials) will make a comeback in Harike wetlands next month.

The gharials will be introduced in the Beas river area of the wetlands.

“The Punjab Wildlife Department and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWFN) is all set to release gharials in the wetlands by mid of next month,” said Dhirendra Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab.

He said they were keeping a close watch at the weather and waiting for the right moment. At least 40 gharials would be brought from Madhya Pradesh in different phases and will be released in the Harike wetlands.

The department is working on the project for the past one decade. The Punjab State Wildlife Board in 2005 had recommended reintroduction of wild gharials in the Beas river area of Harike wetlands as it was less polluted than the Sutlej.

According to the assessment of the site, it was decided that they will be introduced at villages, including Gagdewal, Bahrowal, Govindwal and Dhunda. The department has also decided that these areas should be declared non-fishing zones under the Wild Life (Protection) Act-1972.

Besides, a provision for compensation for damages caused by gharials to the local community has also been recommended.