Gharial hatchlings emerging from exsitu incubated eggs in Amaltari.

This project aims to promote the in-situ conservation of gharials in the Narayani River of Chitwan National Park through evaluating the breeding behavior of gharials, assessing the breeding requirements of gharials and strengthening management capacities in breeding management among park fishermen and game scouts.

Looking at the serious gaps in breeding practices running in the Chitwan National Park, this project will help in strengthening the existing monitoring stations in different areas of the river. These stations have poor management facilities and equipment such as lack of soil temperature thermometer, humidity recorder, GPS and other essential equipment that are necessary for regular monitoring. This project targets to strengthen and support each of the breeding stations along the Narayani River.

Currently, the Gharial Conservation and Breeding Center (GCBC) collect the eggs immediately after the egg laying from the natural nests and relocate to other areas. This practice is one of the detrimental factors responsible for decline in the hatching success. This project targets to carry out the incubation of eggs in in-situ state as pilot study in one station. This will help to enhance the reproductive success of gharials.

After the completion of the project, it will help in strengthening the conservation efforts, particularly in the breeding management of gharials which will ensure the long term conservation of gharials.