Studies on Geographical Distribution and Conservation of Indian Gharial, Gavialis gangeticus (Gmelin) (Reptilia crocodilia)

The Geographical distribution of the Gavialis gangeticus followed its drifting from India to Asia in Miocene and then its confinement to India in Pliocene, and with East Asia in Pleistocene respectively. Later on in recent time, the remnant existing G. gangeticus population has been found to be restricted in India and neighbouring countries, e.g., Nepal and Pakistan in traces. Dominant number of the species are found to occur in the Himalayan fed rivers of the Northern India. Uttar Pradesh harbours the major population of the G. gangeticus; besides Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Orissa also have appreciable number of the species. An imperative need is now felt by conservationists to protect the G. gangeticus, the only representative of the family Gavialidae, by strict legal enforcement and to encourage the captive breeding and rehabilitation of the species before it become extinct.