Ken Gharial Sanctuary and Traditional Fishing Heritage of Panna

The Ken Gharial Sanctuary protects the gharial — the critically endangered fish-eating crocodilian — in a 45-kilometre stretch of the Ken River. Local Kewat and Nishad fishing communities have coexisted with gharials for generations. Traditional ecological knowledge distinguishes gharial pools — deep cold holes with overhead tree cover — from mahseer fishing areas in fast riffles. The fishing calendar avoids gharial nesting areas December through March when females are incubating eggs on sand beaches. Traditional coracle boats — made from split bamboo sealed with tar and animal hide — are still used by some Ken River fisherfolk. Cast nets and traps woven from local bamboo are the primary gear. The fishing community maintains a prohibition on killing the smooth-coated otter, considered a co-fisher whose disturbance pushes fish into nets.