Crocodiles

Current Distribution of Crocodylus porosus

IUCN Crocodile Specialist group

Interview with Indian Forest Service Officer Sujoy Bannerji, Uttar Pradesh Forest Department

1.            What are the different species of crocodiles found in India?

Crocodile species are found both in fresh as well as salt water. The fresh water species include the Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) found commonly in rivers and water bodies across India and the critically endangered Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus). The Estuarine or Salt Water Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is found along the eastern coast of India as well as in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

2.            What are the different habitats necessary for the species of crocodiles in India / subcontinent?

Crocodiles are found in the rivers and water bodies. They need sandy banks for laying eggs as well as for basking in the winters.

3.            Why are Gharials not found in South India / South of the Vindhyas? What could be the geomorphological reasons? Are Gharials found in the Indus River system in Pakistan too?

Gharials were once found in the Godavari river but became extinct in the 1960s. they were also found in all the major rivers of northern India, including the Indus River system. Gharials did not thrive in southern India as most of the rivers are not perennial as compared to the glacial fed rivers of North India.

4.            What are the threats to the crocodile habitats in the subcontinent?

The major threat to crocodile habitats is sand mining and human habitation and development on flood plains of rivers and reservoirs which eventually disturbs or encroaches upon their habitat. Gharials, with a long snout, are prone to get entangled in the fishing nets of fisherman. Either they drown, if submerged underwater due to getting caught in the net for a period of about 45 minutes to an hour. Otherwise, the fishermen break their snouts to free them from the nets while keeping their fishing nets intact. Such gharials eventually die a slow, painful death.

A small threat can be attributed to hunting of crocodiles for their skins which are used to make fancy leather items.

5.            What are the reasons for HCC in India?

Though attacks by crocodiles are relatively uncommon, they mostly take place when humans get too close to their nests, which the females guard fiercely. The crocodiles lay eggs by digging a pit with their hind legs and then covering back the pits with the dug out mud. The other reason for HCC is due to floods which often transports crocodiles into human habitations.

6.            Please give anecdotal perspective of anthropogenic conflict in crocodile conservation... hand fishing, sand mining etc...

One of largest surviving wild population of the gharials are in the Chambal river which is very prone to illegal sand mining. Gharials prefer a thick sand bed in an undisturbed area. Therefore, if illegal mining can be stopped, then there will be more nesting by the gharials which will eventually ameliorate the gharial population in the river. This is very much possible and has been done in the past (pl see news report). https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/endangered-gharial-crocodiles-record-hatchings/

7.            Would appreciate if you can picturise for us some scenarios or consequences of climate change on crocodiles. (on gender ratios, habitat destruction, increase in HCC, floods and habitat destruction, displacement of crocodiles and invasion of human landscapes etc)

I am not sure if any study has been conducted on the impact of climate change on crocodiles. The only impact would be scanty rain patterns which result in depletion of water in the river, or very early flooding which sweeps away the gharial hatchlings.

As far as sex of the hatchlings is concerned, it is determined by the temperature. Higher temperatures will result in production of males while colder temperature will result in production of hatching of females. While nesting, the eggs on the top part of the pit, where egg laying takes place, result in male hatchlings due to higher temperature near the surface. Female hatchlings are produced in the bottom part.

8.            What are the strengths of conservation laws with regard to crocodiles in India? The ANI anecdote about refusal to degrade conservation status of  laws for problem crocodiles in ANI will be particularly relevant. 

All three crocodile species found in India are listed under Schedule - I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which means they have been granted highest protection status in the country equivalent to that of the Indian Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Indian Rhino etc.

In 2018, the Government of Andaman and Nicobar sent a proposal to the Central Government to downgrade the protection status of the Estuarine Crocodile owing to its rising numbers and HCC. However, this has not been accepted so far to the best of my knowledge.

9.            Explain lack of political will for crocodile conservation in India.  

Cannot comment on this one, either for, or against.

10.        Which are the HCC hotspots in India? What are the main triggers?

Sporadic cases of HCC are reported where Marsh Crocodile and Estuarine Crocodile populations exist. In general, more cases of Estuarine Crocodile attacks are reported due to large number of people going for shrimp collection in shallow waters. The main cause is depletion of larger fish stock in water bodies owing to which, crocodiles attack livestock or humans which often results in death. The other reason of crocodile attacks in nest protection by females.

11.        What is the difference between crocodile farming and crocodile banks? Why is it unethical or bad practice? Which are the crocodile banks in India? What are the legal loopholes that allow for this? What are the legal remedies?

A crocodile farm is made for commercial use of crocodiles (skins and other derivatives) whereas a crocodile bank is for preserving the genetic diversity as well as for ex-situ conservation of crocodiles for release in water bodies. Indian laws do not permit crocodile farming. Crocodile banks are run for scientific purposes under permission from designated authority (Chief Wildlife Wardens) under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

12.        Which are the countries that encourage trade in crocodile derivatives? What is the cure / solution?

Crocodile (and alligator) derivatives are sold in a number of countries across the globe and there is great demand for products made out of crocodile/alligator skins and other derivatives. The solution lies only on the hope that people will eventually realize and stop using products made out of crocodile derivatives.

13.        Is there poaching of crocodiles in India? What are the loopholes that facilitate / augment or turn a blind eye to poaching?

Commercial poaching of crocodiles in relatively very less in India.

14.        What are the manifestations / consequences of infighting in crocodiles? 

Crocodiles are territorial animals and infighting takes place occasionally which results in death of crocodiles in some cases.

Interview conducted by Malini Shankar for Digital Discourse Foundation.

Pictures: Pixabay. Research and interview by Malini Shankar