National Chambal Sanctuary
Context:
The Supreme Court recently took suo motu cognisance of rampant illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier flagged that sand mining by organized mafias is the biggest threat to this fragile lotic (flowing water) ecosystem.
It degrades the habitat for sand-nesting species, alters the river's morphology and water-retaining properties, and forces critically endangered gharials to relocate
Geography of the Sanctuary:
Situated on a large arc of the Chambal River, it is India's first and only tri-state riverine protected area.
It spans the borders of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Madhya Pradesh section alone covers 435 sq km.
It was established to restore the ecological health of a major North Indian river ecosystem
It is an integral part of the greater Gangetic Drainage Basin.
Though the Chambal is a tributary of the Yamuna, its channel is larger than the Yamuna at their confluence.
The sanctuary is a major source of groundwater recharge and acts as a vital nursery for fish fry and fingerlings, supporting downstream fisheries that sustain millions.
Flora and Fauna:
Reptiles & Mammals:
The sanctuary harbours almost 90% of the world's population of the critically endangered Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus).
It also provides critical refuge for the endangered Ganges River Dolphin.
Avian Diversity:
Recognized as an Important Birding Area (IBA), it hosts numerous migratory waterbirds.
It is notably a crucial breeding ground for the endangered Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), whose nesting islands are monitored and protected by conservation initiatives involving local communities and the Wildlife Trust of India.
The protected area is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, recording 148 fish, 56 reptiles, 308 birds, 60 mammal, and 37 butterfly species.
Many of these species fall under the critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable categories of the IUCN Red List.