Multi-species Survey in River Gandak, Bihar with focus on Gharial & Ganges river dolphin

The multi-species survey of data deficient and biodiversity rich Indian rivers/river stretches was conceptualized in the ‘River Watch’ workshop organized at Jiwa Ji University, Gwalior in 2006. Mr. Ravi Singh (Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India), Romulus Whitaker (MCBT), R. J. Rao (Jiwa Ji University), Parikshit Gautam and Sandeep Behera (WWF-India), D. Basu (GCA), Sunil Choudhary (T. M. Bhagalpur University) and Forest officials of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were present in the workshop, and all agreed on the need and importance of conducting multi-species survey of rivers by joining hands. Rivers Kosi and Gandak in Bihar were identified for conducting such survey. Accordingly, Vikramshila Biodiversity Research & Education Center (VBREC) under T. M. Bhagalpur University did a Recce of Rivers Kosi and Gandak supported by WWF-India, in 2007, and based on the notes of the Recce, the present survey was conducted in the River Gandak in January 2010. VBREC was given the key role of organizing the river survey and the partner agencies joining the survey included, WWF-India, Wildlife Trust of India, Gharial Conservation Alliance and Forest officials of Bihar State.
Prior to this survey, River Gandak in Bihar had never been assessed for gharial population. There were few reports about the presence of gharial population surviving in the Gandak River in Bihar. In fact, it was S. P. Sahi (former Chief Wildlife Warden of Bihar) who had collected a clutch of gharial eggs from the Gandak in Bihar which had contributed to the initiation of Gharial Conservation Project in India. Somehow, Bihar was not one of the states to be included in the Project Crocodile when it began in 1974-75 in Orissa and Uttar Pradesh to be followed by Tamil Nadu, M.P, W.B, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala in India (personal communication with B C Choudhary of Wildlife Institute of India).
Recent assessments confirm the continued survival of only 5 breeding population of this endemic critically endangered species (Gavialis gangeticus) globally (Nepal & India) of which, only one population in the Chambal River, with about 100 breeding females, is comparatively robust in both numbers as well as distribution while all other populations are relict and seriously threatened. In view of the recent decline in both its range and population size, and goals of Species Recovery plan (SRP), the present survey of River Gandak is important as it examined the possible existence and conservation viability of a reported population of gharial in the Gandak River in Bihar. The survey is also important as it documented the status of other major river fauna such as Ganges River Dolphin (Platinasta gangetica gangetica), Smooth coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), birds, turtles as well as the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), sharing the habitat with gharial. In addition, the assessment for fisheries, river water quality and habitat conditions were also made. Wherever possible, the survey team interacted with local community and educated them about the importance of conserving the river and its unique biodiversity.
I am happy that inspite of severe cold, and threat of violence in the river, the survey was completed successfully, and I hope this report will be helpful in preparing Conservation Action Plan for gharial and other threatened fauna of the Gandak River in Bihar. Full report available here

Sunil Choudhary
Principal Coordinator
River Gandak Survey 2010
VBREC, T. M. Bhagalpur University