CHITWAN, March 19: Among the gharial crocodiles reared in Chitwan National Park (CNP), 205 have been released into the Rapti River in the current fiscal year. Last fiscal year, the number of crocodiles released into the river was 133.
The Crocodile Breeding Centre has been in operation at Kasara, a part of CNP, since 1978 for the protection of gharials.
So far, a total of 2,280 animals have been reintroduced into various rivers: Narayani (421), Rapti (1,525), Kaligandaki (35), Saptakoshi (105), and Karnali (41), according to CNP information officer Abinash Thapa Magar. Similarly, they have been released into other rivers: Babai (110), Chaudhar River (25), and West Rapti in Banke (10).
137 crocodiles released in Rapti river
Presently, the number of crocodiles at Kasara stands at 598. The release of animals has been ongoing since 1981. The Rapti River has the highest number of crocodiles in Nepal.
The eggs of crocodiles are collected from the banks of the Rapti River and brought to the centre for hatching. It is said that many crocodiles reintroduced into the rivers reach India by floating downstream, while some are hunted by poachers. Increasing river pollution has posed a threat to the lives of crocodiles.
