Context:
Government of Gujarat conducted a crocodile census in the Vishwamitri river.
Vishwamitri River:
- Originates from – Pavagadh hills (part of Western Ghats) in Gujarat
- Joins the Gulf of Khambhat
- Fed by tributaries Dhadhar and Khanpur.
- Its banks had ancient settlements dating back to the rule of Guptas and Vallabhi.
- Hosts mugger crocodiles, freshwater turtles, and monitor lizards
Mugger Crocodiles:
- Habitat – Found mainly in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, and marshes.
- Found in – India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal
- Distribution in India – Mainly in the Ganga River basin (Bihar and Jharkhand), Chambal River (Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh) and Gujarat.
- Unique feature – Dig burrows or holes for nesting purposes
- Threats – Habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
- Conservation Staus –
- Vulnerable (IUCN)
- CITES (Appendix I)
- Schedule I (Indian Wildlife Protection Act ,1972).
Read more about Main species of crocodiles in India
Source: DTE
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lions are naturally found in India only.
2. Double-humped camels are naturally found in India only.
3. One-horned rhinoceros are naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct. Besides India, they are found throughout the highlands of central Asia from Turkistan to Mongolia and their total population is around 20 million.
Statement 3 is not correct. One-horned rhinoceros are naturally found in Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.