Crocodiles give birth to 330 hatchlings in Raj sanctuary
At least 125 crocodiles in National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary of Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur laid 330 eggs across 21 number nesting site in Chambal river basin, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
According to the experts, a crocodile lays around 50 to 70 eggs which start hatching after an incubation period of 70 days. The baby crocodiles are unable to swim within 15 to 20 days.
Confirming the development, Chambal Gharial sanctuary district forest officer (DFO) Anil Yadav said, “During the recent breeding period, the crocodiles laid 330 eggs at 21 sites in Palighat area. A crocodile lays 50 to 70 eggs in a time with 70 days of incubation period.”
The sanctuary administration has put up fencing surrounding the sites to save the crocodile eggs from dogs and jackals, said the officials aware of the matter.
According to the officials, the basins of Chambal river, which forms a boundary of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are a preferable sit for crocodiles to
lay eggs during their reproduction period. The depth of sand at the Chambal basin along Sawai Madhopur is a safe area for the crocodiles to lay eggs while the depth of sand in the Madhya Pradesh side is not the right fit for the same, said one of the officials.
The National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1978 with a 5400-km long area covering three states as
Rajasthan,Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for breeding of crocodiles.
Talking about the tourism aspects, DFO Yadav said, “We have developed basic facilities at the Palighat site for tourism. There are around 32 boats for tourists to visit Chambal sites. Tourists who come to visit Ranthambore National Park mostly want to visit National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary”.