National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400 km2 (2,100 sq mi) tri-state protected area in northern India for the protection of the Critically Endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle and the Endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Endangered Gharial 

Red Crowned Roof Turtle 

Endangered Ganges Dolphin 

How to reach:

National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary is located near National Highway 45 and is well connected by road to cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Agra is almost 60 km away from Chambal.

NH45 

History:

Administrative approval of the Government of India for the establishment of the National Chambal Sanctuary was conveyed on 30 September 1978.

Flora and Fauna:

Common plants in the sanctuary include khair (Acacia catechu), palash (flame of the forest, Butea monosperma), churel (Indian elm tree, Holoptelea integrifolia) and ber (Indian plum, Ziziphus mauritiana)

khair (Acacia catechu)

palash (flame of the forest) , Butea monosperma

churel (Indian elm tree, Holoptelea integrifolia)

ber (Indian plum, Ziziphus mauritiana)

The critically endangered gharial and the red-crowned roof turtle live here, and together with the endangered Ganges river dolphin are the keystone species of the sanctuary. Other large threatened inhabitants of the sanctuary include muggar crocodile, smooth-coated otter, striped hyena and Indian wolf.

Muggar Crocodile

smooth-coated otter

Striped Hyena 

Indian Wolf

Mammals of less concern which live here include: rhesus macaque, Hanuman langur, golden jackal, Bengal fox, common palm civet, small Asian mongoose, Indian grey mongoose, jungle cat, wild boar, sambar, nilgai, blackbuck, Indian gazelle, northern palm squirrel, Indian crested porcupine, Indian hare, Indian flying fox and Indian long-eared hedgehog.

Vulnerable bird species here include the Indian skimmer,sarus crane, Pallas's fish eagle and Indian courser.

Rhesus macaque

Hanuman langur

Golden jackal

Indian crested porcupine

Black Buck

Common palm civet

Indian Flying Fox

Indian Skimmer

Indian Courser

Sarus Crane

Interesting facts:

•    Chambal supports 8 of the 26 rare turtle species found in India, including Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, three-striped roof turtle and crowned river turtle.

•    Migratory birds from Siberia form part of its rich avian fauna.

•    At least 320 species of resident and migratory birds inhabit the sanctuary.

•    Visitors may explore Ater Fort, a beautiful but dilapidated landmark and historical site near Ater town, 35 km from Bhind. The fort is situated on the banks of the Chambal River and can be reached by bus, jeep or boat.

Ater Fort

Inside Ater Fort