Question map
If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option B - Chambal River.
The gharial is a critically endangered species found in India, specifically in the Chambal River and Girwa river[1]. The Gangetic gharial has been reintroduced in the rivers of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where it had become extinct[2], and these ravines are found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh in the lower course of the Chambal River, where the National Chambal Sanctuary was established in 1979[3]. The Chambal River provides the natural freshwater habitat that gharials require.
The other options are incorrect: Bhitarkanika Mangroves are known for saltwater crocodiles, not gharials. Pulicat Lake is primarily a bird sanctuary, and Deepor Beel is a freshwater lake in Assam but not a known gharial habitat. Gharials are freshwater crocodilians with distinctive slender snouts adapted for fish-eating, and the Chambal River system remains one of their most important natural habitats in India.
Sources- [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 11: Schedule Animals of WPA 1972 > ENVIRONMENT > p. 177
- [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 8: Biodiversity > Modes of Conservation > p. 146
- [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Chambal Ravines > p. 14
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Species-Habitat' mapping question found in every standard Environment text (Shankar IAS/NCERT). It tests the fundamental distinction between India's three crocodilian types: Riverine (Gharial), Estuarine (Saltwater Crocodile), and Marsh/Lake (Mugger). The keyword 'best place' points to the primary stronghold (Chambal), not just historical range.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is the Bhitarkanika Mangroves in India a natural habitat of the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)?
- Statement 2: Is the Chambal River in India a natural habitat of the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)?
- Statement 3: Is Pulicat Lake in India a natural habitat of the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)?
- Statement 4: Is Deepor Beel in India a natural habitat of the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)?
Identifies Bhitarkanika as a major mangrove area in Odisha (gives precise site and nature: mangrove/estuarine habitat).
A student could locate Bhitarkanika on a map and note it is an estuarine/mangrove system (coastal), then compare that setting to known gharial habitat requirements.
States Bhitarkanika is the second largest mangrove of India, reinforcing its importance as a coastal/estuarine mangrove area.
Use this to reinforce that Bhitarkanika is coastal (likely brackish/tidal), then check whether gharials inhabit coastal/estuarine vs freshwater riverine systems.
NCERT lists mangrove-associated fauna generally and explicitly includes 'gharial' among animals found in these forests (a general rule/example that gharials can be mentioned with mangrove deltas).
A student could treat this as a general association and then test whether that association applies to specific mangroves (e.g., Bhitarkanika) by checking species distributions or salinity tolerances.
Gives a more specific range and habitat description for gharial: lists rivers (Chambal, Girwa, Son) and labels habitat as 'Terrestrial, Fresh Water' implying preference for freshwater river systems.
Compare these named freshwater riverine ranges to coastal mangrove locations like Bhitarkanika to see if known gharial populations overlap with Odisha's estuarine systems.
Lists Bhitarkanika among India's mangrove areas in a statewise inventory (reinforces site identity as mangrove habitat to be evaluated).
Use this inventory to compile candidate mangrove sites and then check which of them have documented gharial records or suitable freshwater reaches.
- The snippet's Range Description explicitly names 'India - Chambal River' for the Gharial.
- The same entry lists habitat type as freshwater, consistent with riverine habitat required by gharial.
- Appears in a schedule/species listing (WPA 1972 context), giving it authoritative weight.
- States that the Gangetic gharial has been reintroduced into rivers of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
- Since the Chambal flows through/along those states and is a major river there, this indicates management actions relevant to gharial presence in regional rivers (including Chambal).
- Documents the existence of the National Chambal Sanctuary (a long protected stretch of the Chambal River) established for riverine wildlife.
- Presence of a riverine wildlife sanctuary on the Chambal supports the river's role as habitat for endangered river species.
- Identifies Pulicat as a designated bird sanctuary/lake area (Pulicat Bird Sanctuary), showing the site type mentioned in the sources.
- No mention in this passage of gharials being present at Pulicat, implying lack of supporting evidence here for Pulicat being a gharial habitat.
- Describes the natural range/habitats of gharials as river systems (Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi), indicating gharials are associated with large river systems rather than coastal lakes.
- By specifying river systems, this passage provides context that Pulicat (a coastal bird sanctuary/lake) is not listed among known gharial habitats in the provided material.
- Confirms gharial presence is recorded in named riverine sanctuaries (e.g., Son Gharial Sanctuary), reinforcing that gharials occupy river habitats and protected river sanctuaries in India.
- This supports the contrast that Pulicat (a bird lake/sanctuary) is not documented here as a gharial site.
Gharial is described as a freshwater species with a range given in specific rivers (Chambal, Girwa, Son) and associated states, indicating a preference for riverine freshwater habitats.
A student could compare those riverine, freshwater habitat descriptions with the environmental character of Pulicat to judge plausibility.
Pulicat is listed as a coastal lagoon formed by spits and bars (example alongside Chilika), implying a coastal/brackish lagoon environment rather than an inland freshwater river.
Combine this with the gharial's freshwater/rivers preference to suspect Pulicat (a coastal lagoon) is less likely to be suitable.
Lakes are classified into freshwater (e.g., Dal, Wular) and brackish/saline (e.g., Chilka, Vembanad), showing habitat-relevant distinctions between lake types.
Use this rule to place Pulicat into freshwater vs brackish category (pulled from snippet 2) and assess compatibility with gharial freshwater needs.
Natural lakes in India are said to mostly lie in the Himalayan region and major river floodplains, emphasizing that prime freshwater lake/river habitats for aquatic fauna are inland river systems.
A student could note Pulicat's coastal location (snippet 2) differs from these inland riverine/floodplain habitats favored by gharial.
Chilika is given as an explicit example of a brackish coastal lake formed by river silting, providing a concrete analogue for coastal/brackish lagoons mentioned with Pulicat.
By analogy, if Chilika (brackish) is unsuitable for strictly freshwater river specialists, Pulicat (also a coastal lagoon) may likewise be less suitable for gharial.
Gharial range description lists specific rivers in India (Chambal, Girwa, Son) and characterises its habitat as freshwater.
A student can compare those named river systems' geographic locations to Deepor Beel's basin to see whether known gharial rivers overlap with Assam wetlands.
Identifies Deepor Beel explicitly as a named Ramsar wetland located in Assam.
A student can use a map to place Deepor Beel in the Brahmaputra/Assam region and compare it with the gharial's listed river ranges to assess likelihood.
Describes conservation goals to protect gharial populations in their natural freshwater habitats and mentions restocking efforts and population figures.
A student could infer that conservation and restocking focus sites are likely in regions where gharials historically occur, so checking whether Deepor Beel has been a listed conservation/rehabilitation site would be informative.
Notes a national gharial conservation project and that populations increased since 1981, implying documented, concentrated recovery areas.
A student could look for project sites/records (e.g., release locations) and see if Deepor Beel is among documented release or breeding sites.
Shows the pattern in these sources of tying particular species to specific regional habitats (examples: lions—Gir; desert species—Thar), indicating that species distributions in India are often region-specific.
A student can apply that rule: because gharial are associated with certain river systems, verify whether Deepor Beel's geography matches those river systems before accepting it as a natural gharial habitat.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from Shankar IAS (Chapter: Schedule Animals/Protected Areas) or NCERT Class IX/XI Geography (Wildlife).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: In-situ Conservation & Species Recovery Programmes (specifically Project Crocodile launched in 1975).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Crocodilian Triad': 1. Gharial (Critically Endangered, Freshwater Rivers -> Chambal, Girwa, Son); 2. Saltwater Crocodile (Least Concern globally, Estuarine -> Bhitarkanika, Sundarbans); 3. Mugger (Vulnerable, Freshwater Lakes/Marshes -> Widespread). Also note Chambal's other 'Big 3': Gangetic Dolphin and Red-crowned Roofed Turtle.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize lists of animals blindly. Categorize them by 'Ecological Niche': Marine vs. Estuarine vs. Riverine (Lotic) vs. Stagnant (Lentic). Gharials are riverine specialists requiring deep flowing water and sandbanks for nesting.
Several references identify Bhitarkanika as one of India's principal mangrove areas (Odisha), placing it among other deltaic mangrove sites.
High-yield for geography and environment questions: knowing major mangrove locations (Sundarbans, Bhitarkanika, Mahanadi delta, etc.) helps answer questions on coastal ecosystems, Ramsar sites, and state-wise environmental features. Connects to topics on coastal ecology, conservation policy and regional geography.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Major Mangroves of India > p. 52
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > MAngrove (forests). > p. 51
Evidence lists gharial range/habitat as river systems (Chambal, Son) and describes its freshwater ecology.
Important for biodiversity and conservation questions: distinguishing riverine specialists (gharials) from general mangrove fauna clarifies species–habitat associations and conservation measures. Useful for questions on endangered species, wildlife protection acts, and habitat-specific threats.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 11: Schedule Animals of WPA 1972 > ENVIRONMENT > p. 177
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife > Mangrove Forests > p. 43
References note that mangroves (deltas) harbour fauna like turtles, crocodiles and other reptiles, indicating variability in mangrove fauna by region.
Helps answer questions on ecosystem services and biodiversity of coastal wetlands; knowing typical mangrove fauna aids in evaluating habitat suitability claims. Links to wetlands, Ramsar conventions and regional ecological differences.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife > Mangrove Forests > p. 43
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation > Littoral and Swamp Forests > p. 46
The direct statement that the Gharial's range includes the Chambal River comes from a schedule-style species entry (e.g., WPA listing).
High-yield for UPSC: knowing where authoritative species lists or schedules record ranges helps answer conservation and biodiversity questions. Connects to topics on legal protection, IUCN/WPA listings, and habitat management. Practice locating and interpreting range/habitat phrases in source texts.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 11: Schedule Animals of WPA 1972 > ENVIRONMENT > p. 177
The National Chambal Sanctuary is explicitly mentioned as a long protected stretch of the Chambal River for wildlife.
Important for questions on in-situ conservation, river ecology, and state-level biodiversity governance. Links physical geography (river systems) with conservation policy and species protection. Useful for case-based questions on habitat protection measures.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Chambal Ravines > p. 14
A reference states the Gangetic gharial has been reintroduced into rivers of UP, MP and Rajasthan, illustrating reintroduction practice.
Crucial for UPSC topics on biodiversity conservation approaches: distinguishes in-situ protection, ex-situ measures, and reintroduction programs. Enables answers on policy, success/failure factors, and examples for essays/GS papers.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 8: Biodiversity > Modes of Conservation > p. 146
Pulicat is identified as a coastal lagoon (formation by spits/bars), while gharial is described as a freshwater river species — distinguishing these habitat types is central to the claim.
High-yield for UPSC because many species distributions hinge on freshwater vs. brackish/coastal habitats; connects physical geography (coastal landforms) with ecology and species occurrence. Helps eliminate or confirm habitat-based options in biodistribution and conservation questions.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > LAKES > p. 22
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Chilka Lake (Chilika Lake) > p. 29
The Red-crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga). It shares the exact same habitat (Chambal River) and status (Critically Endangered) as the Gharial but is less famous. It is a prime candidate for a future 'sitter' trap.
Apply 'Habitat Logic': The Gharial is a fish-eating specialist with a long, thin snout, evolved for cutting through water currents.
- Bhitarkanika (Mangrove/Saltwater) -> Wrong ecosystem.
- Pulicat (Brackish Lagoon) -> Wrong ecosystem.
- Deepor Beel (Wetland/Stagnant) -> Less ideal.
- Chambal (Flowing River) -> Perfect match.
Only Option B represents a fast-flowing riverine system.
Link this to GS-3 Environment & Economy: The Chambal ravines were historically preserved due to 'dacoit' presence preventing development. Now, 'Illegal Sand Mining' is the biggest threat to Gharials (destroys nesting banks). This is a perfect case study for Human-Wildlife Conflict and Resource Management.