Национальный заповедник Чамбал: природа и охрана редких видов

Wildlife sanctuary in India

National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a tri state protected area in northern India for the protection of the Critically Endangered gharial, the 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. It is part of the Khathiar Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

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. 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.

The critically endangered gharial and the 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, three striped roof turtle and crowned river turtle. Other reptiles who live here are: Indian flapshell turtle, soft shell turtle, Indian roofed turtle, Indian tent turtle and monitor lizard. The National Chambal Sanctuary is listed as an important bird area (IBA) IN122. and is a proposed Ramsar site. At least 320 species of resident and migratory birds inhabit the sanctuary. Migratory birds from Siberia form part of its rich avian fauna. 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 boobook.

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.