Why in NEWS

On World Crocodile Day (June 17), India commemorated 50 years of its Crocodile Conservation Project (CCP) (1975–2025), with Odisha at the forefront, hosting all three native crocodilian species in the wild.

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Key Terms/Concepts

Term	Simple Explanation
Crocodile Conservation Project (CCP)	A 1975 initiative to protect India’s crocodiles via captive breeding, habitat protection
Rear and Release	A method where crocodiles are bred in captivity and released into the wild
Poikilothermic	Cold-blooded animals whose body temperature depends on the surrounding environment
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)	A fish-eating, critically endangered crocodilian with a long, narrow snout
Mugger (Crocodylus palustris)	The common Indian crocodile found in freshwater habitats
Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)	The largest living crocodile, inhabits brackish/saltwater regions

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News Details

Aspect	Details
Project Launch	Started in 1975 in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha with UNDP and FAO support
Key Methods	Rear & release, habitat protection, captive breeding, and community awareness
Conservation Sites	Bhitarkanika, Satkosia, National Chambal Sanctuary, Son Gharial Sanctuary
Odisha’s Uniqueness	Only Indian state with all 3 native crocodile species in wild
Threats to Crocodiles	Habitat destruction, poaching, egg theft, dam construction, sand mining
Major Populations	Gharials: ~3,000 in Chambal, Katarnia Ghat, Son River; Saltwater crocs: ~2,500 in Bhitarkanika & Sundarbans

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Visual Learning

Crocodile Conservation in India — Sun Diagram

pgsqlCopyEdit                         CROCODILE CONSERVATION PROJECT (1975–2025)
                             |
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  |                  |                    |                   |
Gharial        Mugger Crocodile    Saltwater Crocodile     Odisha Leads
 - ~3000         - Common in        - Found in A&N,         - All 3 species
 - Chambal         freshwater         Sundarbans, Odisha     - Bhitarkanika site

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In a Nutshell

🧠 Memory Trick – “GPS of Crocodiles in India”

• G = Gharial → Gangetic → Chambal
• P = Palustris (Mugger) → Plain freshwater
• S = Saltwater → Sea coasts like A&N, Odisha
  → GPS helps you locate where each croc thrives!

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Prelims Practice Questions

1. Which of the following statements about crocodiles in India is/are correct?
   1. India is home to four native species of crocodilians.
   2. Saltwater crocodiles are mainly found in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Odisha.
   3. Gharials are critically endangered and found in riverine ecosystems.
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) All of the above
2. Consider the following pairs: SpeciesPrimary Habitat Location1. GharialNational Chambal Sanctuary2. Mugger CrocodileThar Desert3. Saltwater CrocodileBhitarkanika National Park Which of the pairs are correctly matched?
   a) 1 and 3 only
   b) 1 and 2 only
   c) 2 and 3 only
   d) All of the above
3. Which of the following threats affect crocodilian survival in India?
   1. Sand mining
   2. Dam construction
   3. Use of chemical fertilizers
   4. Egg poaching
   a) 1, 2 and 4 only
   b) 1, 2 and 3 only
   c) 2, 3 and 4 only
   d) All of the above

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Mains Practice Questions

1. Examine the role of the Crocodile Conservation Project (1975–2025) in India’s broader wildlife conservation landscape.
2. “Odisha is the epicentre of India’s crocodilian conservation.” Discuss with reference to its geography and conservation strategies.

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Answers Table

Q. No.	Correct Answer	Explanation
1	b) 2 and 3 only	Only 3 native species exist; statement 1 is incorrect
2	a) 1 and 3 only	Mugger not found in deserts; the other two are correctly matched
3	a) 1, 2 and 4 only	Fertilizers are not a direct major threat to crocodiles