Union Minister Unveils Gharial Protection Plan at Katarniaghat

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday launched a significant wildlife initiative — the Gharial Species Conservation Programme — aimed at protecting and reviving the population of gharials, a critically endangered species of crocodilian found in the Indian subcontinent. The event was held at Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, where the minister symbolically released seven one-year-old gharial hatchlings into the Gerua River, marking the formal beginning of the conservation campaign.

During a boat safari on the Gerua River, Yadav also observed various aquatic wildlife, including dolphins, crocodiles, and gharials, highlighting the rich biodiversity of the region. He later visited the Gharial Breeding Centre in Trans-Gerua to inspect ongoing conservation efforts and review progress. Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), distinguished by their long, thin snouts, are native to northern Indian rivers and are currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss, fishing entanglements, and declining river ecosystems.

Speaking to reporters, the Union Minister emphasized that forests and wildlife are the natural heritage of the earth, and protecting them is a shared national responsibility. He stressed the need for scientific and community-based approaches to address and reduce human-wildlife conflict, a growing concern in forest-adjacent areas. Human-wildlife conflict refers to interactions between wild animals and humans that lead to negative outcomes for both, including crop damage, livestock loss, or injury and death.

Yadav chaired a meeting during his visit to the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which included public representatives, forest department officials, conservation NGOs, and local villagers. A wide range of suggestions and feedback were received, which the minister said would be integrated into a new action plan for forest and wildlife conservation in the region.

Addressing issues of compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict, the minister directed officials to ensure timely action on pending cases, avoiding delays in providing financial relief to affected individuals. He also shared that the central government has issued a revised notification increasing compensation amounts, and that the Uttar Pradesh government is expected to implement these changes shortly through a state-level notification.

This integrated approach — combining species conservation, community participation, and policy-level action — reflects a holistic model for addressing India’s conservation challenges.

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