DISCOVERY
After Tiger State, Madhya Pradesh has now got the status of Alligator State. This is due to the increasing number of alligators in the Chambal river sanctuary. Madhya Pradesh had again got the distinction of being the Tiger State with 526 tigers in its wildlife reserves, now accompanied with another big achievement in the conservation of aquatic life. According to a report prepared by the Wildlife Trust of India, 1255 alligators have been found in the Chambal river. Morena's District Forest Divisional Officer P.D. Gervial told IANS that "The departmental census found more crocodiles than the Wildlife Trust of India's report, The number of crocodiles according to departmental calculations is 1876." There was a drastic reduction in the number of crocodiles across the world in the eighties with only 200 crocodiles left. At that time the total number of crocodiles found in India was 96 out of which 46 were in Chambal. Therefore the 435 km span of the Chambal river in Morena district was declared the Chambal Alligator Sanctuary. Gervial explained that "The main reason behind the increase in the number of alligators in the Chambal river is the Deori Eco Centre. The eggs of alligators are brought here and after hatching the alligators are reared here. When they are three years old, they are released into the Chambal river. Every year around 200 alligators are released into the Chambal river under the Grow and Release programme."
There are only a few countries in the world, including Nepal, Bangladesh and India, where alligators are found, stated Gervial. Expressing happiness over the achievement, state forest minister Umang Singhar told IANS, "This achievement is the result of the hard work of the officers. The alligators were on the verge of extinction in the country, but the tireless efforts made in the state have not only saved the alligators from extinction, but also helped the state to preserve the most number of alligators in the country."