imported>AnomieBOT: Dating maintenance tags: {{Cn}}

2021-08-19T14:20:01Z

Dating maintenance tags: {{Cn}}

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = National Chambal Sanctuary
| alt_name = National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary
| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Chambal river near Dhaulpur, India.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = National Chambal Sanctuary near [[Dhaulpur]]
| photo_width =
| map = India Madhya Pradesh#India
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Madhya Pradesh, India
| map_width =
| location = [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| website = https://www.ncsmp.org
| nearest_city = [[Morena]] {{ convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}, [[Agra]] {{convert|70|km|mi|abbr=on}},
[[Etawah]] {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| coords = {{coord|26.7681981|78.6445791|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| established = 1979
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Uttar Pradesh Forest Department<ref name="NCS">{{cite web |title=National Chambal Sanctuary
|url=http://nationalchambalsanctuary.in/index.html |publisher=Wildlife wing of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department |access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref>
| world_heritage_site =
| url =
}}

'''National Chambal Sanctuary''', also called the '''National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary''', is a {{cvt|5400|km2}} tri-state [[Protected areas of India|protected area]] in northern India for the protection of the [[Critically Endangered]] [[gharial]], the [[Kachuga kachuga|red-crowned roof turtle]] and the [[Endangered]] [[Ganges river dolphin]]. Located on the [[Chambal River]] near the [[tripoint]] of [[Rajasthan]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]], it was first declared in Madhya Pradesh in 1978, and now constitutes a long narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states. Within the sanctuary, the pristine [[Chambal River]] cuts through mazes of ravines and hills with many sandy beaches.{{cn|date=July 2017}}

It is part of the [[Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests]] [[ecoregion]].<ref name="WWF, SA: NI">{{WWF ecoregion |id=im0206 |name=Khathiar-Gir Dry Deciduous Forests |accessdate=2017-02-13}}</ref>

==History==

Administrative approval of the Government of India for the establishment of the National Chambal Sanctuary was conveyed in Order No. 17-74/77-FRY (WL) dated 30 September 1978. The Sanctuary has sanctuary status declared under Section 18(1) of the [[Wildlife Protection Act of 1972]]. Since such a declaration is carried out by individual states for territory falling within their jurisdiction, there are three separate notifications covering the National Chambal Sanctuary - the [[Madhya Pradesh]] portion was gazetted in the Government of Madhya Pradesh Notice No. F.15/5/77-10(2) dated 20 December 1978, the Uttar Pradesh portion was gazetted in the Government of Uttar Pradesh Notice No. 7835/XIV-3-103-78 dated 29 January 1979 and the Rajasthan portion was gazetted in the Government of Rajasthan Notice No.F.11(12)Rev.8/78 dated 7 December 1979.<ref name="Sale J.B 1982">Sale J.B. 1982. 2nd Draft. Management Plan For The National Chambal Sanctuary. First Five Year Period 1982/83 - 1986/87. Central Crocodile Breeding and Management Institute, Hyderabad.</ref>

The sanctuary is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary is administered by the Department of Forest under the Project Officer with headquarters at [[Morena]], Madhya Pradesh.

==Fauna==
[[File:Big Mama National Chambal sanctuary 01.jpg|thumb|Gharial in Chambal River]]
[[File:Red-crowned roofed turtle.jpg|thumb|Red-crowned roof turtle in the sanctuary]]
[[File:GangeticDolphin.jpg|thumb|Ganges dolphin]]
[[File:Skimmer1.jpg|thumb|An Indian skimmer on the Chambal river]]

The [[critically endangered]] [[gharial]] and the [[Kachuga kachuga|red-crowned roof turtle]] live here, and together with the endangered [[Ganges river dolphin]] are the [[keystone species]] of the sanctuary. Other large [[threatened]] inhabitants of the sanctuary include [[mugger crocodile]], [[smooth-coated otter]], [[striped hyena]] and [[Indian wolf]]. Chambal supports 8 of the 26 rare [[turtle]] species found in India, including [[Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle]], [[Kachuga dhongoka|three-striped roof turtle]] and [[Brahminy river turtle|crowned river turtle]]. Other reptiles who live here are: [[Indian flapshell turtle]], [[Trionychidae|soft shell turtle]], [[Indian roofed turtle]], [[Indian tent turtle]] and [[monitor lizard]].<ref name="NCSchecklist"/>

Mammals of less concern which live here include: [[rhesus macaque]], [[Hanuman langur]], [[golden jackal]], [[Bengal fox]], [[common palm civet]], [[small Asian mongoose]], [[Indian grey mongoose]], [[jungle cat]], [[wild boar]], [[Sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[nilgai]], [[blackbuck]], [[Indian gazelle]], [[northern palm squirrel]], [[Indian crested porcupine]], [[Indian hare]], [[Indian flying fox]] and [[Indian long-eared hedgehog]].<ref name="NCSchecklist">{{cite web
|title=Reptiles & Mammals, Checklist of National Chambal Sanctuary |url=http://nationalchambalsanctuary.in/check_list.html |publisher=Wildlife wing of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department |access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref>

The National Chambal Sanctuary is listed as an [[important bird area]] (IBA) IN122.<ref name="BLI">{{cite web |url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=18426 |title=IN122 National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary (Agra/Etawah) |work=Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs) |publisher=[[BirdLife International]] |access-date=2010-12-29}}</ref> and is a proposed [[Ramsar site]]. At least 320 species of resident and migratory birds inhabit the sanctuary. [[Migratory bird]]s from [[Siberia]] form part of its rich [[bird|avian]] [[fauna (animals)|fauna]].<ref name="NCS"/>
[[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] bird species here include the [[Indian skimmer]],<ref name="kb">{{cite web |url=http://www.kolkatabirds.com/chambal.htm |title=National Chambal Sanctuary |work=Birds of India |publisher=Kolkata Birds |access-date=2010-12-29}}</ref> [[sarus crane]], [[Pallas's fish eagle]] and [[Indian courser]]. The [[pallid harrier]] and [[lesser flamingo]] are [[near threatened]]. Winter visitors include [[black-bellied tern]], [[red-crested pochard]], [[ferruginous pochard]] and [[bar-headed goose]]. Other species include [[great thick-knee]], [[greater flamingo]], [[darter]], and [[brown hawk owl]].<ref name="NCS"/>

==Flora==
Common plants in the sanctuary include khair (''[[Acacia catechu]]''), palash (''[[Butea monosperma]]''), Indian elm tree (''[[Holoptelea integrifolia]]''), Indian plum (''[[Ziziphus mauritiana]]'') and grassy patches on both sides of the river.{{cn|date=August 2021}}

==Conservation management==
The sanctuary is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary is administered by the Department of Forest under the Project Officer with headquarter at [[Morena]], Madhya Pradesh.

Parts of the sanctuary are threatened by extensive [[Sand theft|illegal sand mining]], which is endangering the fragile [[lotic ecosystem]] critical for Gharial breeding.

[[File:Gharial and Turtle at the Crocodile Bank - Mamallapuram - India.JPG|thumb|Gharial and turtles]]
On 27 December 2010, the Minister for Environment and Forests, [[Jairam Ramesh]], during a visit to the [[Madras Crocodile Bank Trust|Madras Crocodile Bank]], announced the formation of a ''National Tri-State Chambal Sanctuary Management and Coordination Committee'' for gharial conservation on {{convert|1600|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The Committee members will comprise representatives of three states' Water Resources Ministries, states' Departments of Irrigation and Power, [[Wildlife Institute of India]], Madras Crocodile Bank, the Gharial Conservation Alliance, Development Alternatives, [[Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment]], [[Worldwide Fund for Nature]] and the Divisional Forest officers of the three states. The Committee will plan strategies for protection of gharials and their habitat. It will conduct further research on the species and its ecology and evaluate the related socio-economic elements of dependent riparian communities. Funding for this new initiative will be mobilized as a sub-scheme of the ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ in the amount of Rs. 50 to 80 million (USD 1 million to 1.7 million) each year for five years. This project has long been advocated by [[herpetologist]] Rom Whitaker.<ref name ="Lenin">
{{cite news
|url=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=152136454836182
|title=New Government of India initiative for gharial conservation
|last=Lenin
|first=Janaki
|date=2010-12-27
|work=Janaki Lenin's Facebook Notes
|publisher=Madras Crocodile Bank, Chennai, India
}}</ref><ref name=sanctuary>
{{cite news
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article995890.ece
|title= A sanctuary Coming Up for Ghariyals|last=Oppilli
|first=P.
|date=2010-12-27
|work=S & T, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
|publisher=The Hindu, Chennai
|access-date=2010-12-27
}}</ref>

==Visitor activities==
There are many nature watching opportunities available for visitors to the National Chambal Sanctuary. The best opportunities for sighting and photography of gharial and dolphins can be had by hiring a boat with a driver and guide, available at several points along the river. A boat excursion will also offer many viewpoints for photography of water and shore birds and landscapes. Walking trails in the ravines and along the river offer opportunities for close observation of the wide variety of plants and animals in the sanctuary.<ref name="NCS"/>

There are public vehicle entry points to Chambal Sanctuary at [[Pinahat]], [[Nandagon]] Ghat, [[Sehson]] and [[Bharch]]. Boating and visiting arrangements can be made with the help of the office of the Conservator of Forests, at Kota.<ref name="NCSmap"/>

Visitors may explore [[Bhind District#Fort of Ater|Ater Fort]], a beautiful but dilapidated landmark and historical site near Ater town, 35 km from [[Bhind]]. The fort was built by the [[Bhadauria]] kings [[Badan Singh]], [[Maha Singh]] and [[Bakhat Singh]] in 1664-1698. The fort is situated on the banks of the Chambal River and can be reached by bus, jeep or boat.

There are forest rest houses at [[Bah]] and [[Chakkar Nagar]] and Public Works Department inspection bungalows at Bah and [[Pinahat]]. There are several commercial hotels and eco lodges at [[Agra]], [[Etawah]] and Bah.<ref name="NCS"/>
The nearest airport is at Agra. The nearest railway station is at Agra. Agra and [[Mathura]] are major rail junctions with a number of trains from all over the country. [[Bharatpur, India|Bharatpur]], [[Ranthambhor National Park]] (with change at Bharatpur), [[Bandhavgarh National Park]] (Katni, Umaria) and [[Kanha National Park]] (Jabalpur) are all well serviced by the rail network from Agra.<ref name="NCSmap">{{cite web |title=Maps of National Chambal Sanctuary |url=http://nationalchambalsanctuary.in/maps.html |publisher=Wildlife wing of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department |access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Etawah Safari Park]]
* [[Arid Forest Research Institute]] (AFRI)
* [[Darrah National Park]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.iifm.org/databank/wildlife/wildlife.html Indian Wildlife (IIFM)]
*[http://www.wildlifetrustofindia.org/ Wildlife Trust of india]
*[http://www.forest.mp.gov.in/chambal.html Wildlife Chambal Sanctuary]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091027110150/http://geocities.com/india_florist/sitemap.html India Florist]

{{Kanpur division topics}}
{{Protected areas in Uttar Pradesh}}

[[Category:Chambal River]]
[[Category:Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Dholpur district]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1978]]

National Chambal Sanctuary - Revision history

imported>AnomieBOT: Dating maintenance tags: {{Cn}}