Gharial re-introduction of State Animal Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh: A Procedure document

In this era of industrialization, urbanization, and the uncontrolled use of agrochemicals, biodiversity of both plants, animals, insects etc. is decreasing and in fact various species become extinct before their identification and some after their identification. Therefore, for the proper protection of species to maintain the health of ecosystems, conservation of the species by means of various strategies is the effective method. The rivers of Northern India were once the home of the Gharial, but it becomes extinct from major Indian rivers in early 20th Century. Therefore, for the conservation of Gharial, re-introduction of Gharial in Ganga River programme was launched in India. The current study is the first attempt to develop a proper methodology for the Gharial re-introduction. The objective of this standard operating procedure (SOP) is to provide a consistent method for work involving re-introduction of Gharial. It includes methodology of egg collection, captive breeding, transportation, release of Gharials in the selected location of Ganga River and then assessment of released species along with public awareness programs.