Chambal Gharial River Dolphin Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh

The National Chambal Sanctuary stretches 435 kilometres along the Chambal river through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, protecting one of the globe last wild gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) breeding populations alongside Gangetic river dolphin, red-crowned roofed turtle, and Indian skimmer colonies. Chambal water is considered sacred in the region and the deep ravine banks remain largely uncultivated due to gully topography. Cooperative boat operators from Dholpur, Morena, and Bah tehsil conduct daily wildlife safaris in partnership with Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. Gharial nesting surveys are coordinated annually by the Wildlife Institute of India with tribal NTFP cooperative volunteers serving as nest monitors. The river supports over 300 bird species including bar-headed goose, common merganser, and breeding Indian skimmer colonies on mid-channel sandbars.