Marsh Crocodile Dead In Fishing Net, Chambal River



Dharmendra Khandal
Several animals get entangled in fishing nets and drown every year.

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Several scientific studies have shown that a number of aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles (including highly protected Schedule I species as per the Wildlife Protection Act), get captured, killed, maimed or snared due to fishing operations in the river, some of which is illegal.

Fishing is a big activity in the National Chambal Sanctuary (that extends over three Indian states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh). Reptiles (even mammals and birds) get entangled in the nets and drown while trying to catch a fish already entangled in the nets. Every year many Gharials and Marsh Crocodiles get entangled in the fishing nets and die. Several scientific studies have shown that a number of aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles, accorded with highly protected status in Schedule – I of the Wildlife Protection Act, get captured, killed, maimed or snared due to fishing operations, some of which is illegal.

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Dharmedra Khandal works as a conservation biologist with Tiger Watch -- an NGO involved in wildlife conservation in Ranthambhore, Rajasthan.



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