GUWAHATI, Jan 7 � The Brahmaputra river and several of its tributaries could still hold hope for the critically-endangered Indian gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), which is on the verge of extinction across its once-widespread habitat in South East Asia with a global population of less than 200.
The Indian gharial population recorded a decline of 96 per cent in the past three decades.
The species was thought to be extinct in the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys of Assam but for a few instances of authentic sighting, including a couple of captures (in the Urpad lake and in the Manas river), in Dikhow river, Ghagar and Subansiri river, the Dehing-Brahmaputra confluence, Kareng Chapori of Dihingmukh � some of those occurring during the period 2004 to 2007.
According to a recent survey conducted by a team of zoologists from Gauhati University, the distribution of the gharial in the State is mainly concentrated in the Brahmaputra Valley. In eastern Assam, it is chiefly confined to the districts of undivided Lakhimpur and Sivasagar, while in western Assam, it is restricted to the Brahmaputra and its tributaries such as Manas, Jinjiram, and the Urpad Beel (lake).
�The recent sightings, including in some previously undocumented areas, are extremely encouraging, as the gharial was thought to be totally extinct in Assam. There is a possibility of getting more small pocketed populations of the gharial in eastern and western reaches of the Brahmaputra river system, and with strong conservation measures, this can emerge as the last stronghold of the species,� BP Saikia, who conducted the survey with BJ Saud, M Kakati Saikia and PK Saikia, told The Assam Tribune.
The Jinjiram river and its confluence zone with the Brahmaputra, and the Urpod Beel, in Goalpara district had been a known gharial habitat, and conservationists feel this area in particular needs sustained focus for ensuring long-term well-being of the elusive reptile.
The few remaining gharials in the Brahmaputra river system, and probably in the Barak Valley, are surviving under tremendous threats. Degradation of riparian swamps through eutrophication and forest destruction in catchments areas; decline of large and small Ichthyofauna in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries due to the use of gill nets and small mesh size fishing nets; and regular killing of gharials by local poachers for flesh and fat (owing to superstition about the use of extracted oil and flesh for curing arthritis and various diseases), and for skin, have pushed the reptile to the brink, the survey noted.