Abstract

Preliminary survey of wild Gharial (Gavialis gengeticus) population was done in Assam from 2004 through 2007. The study revealed the presence of wild Gharial in Assam on certain ecological pockets in different locations of Brahmaputra river and its tributary  of which few sites were previously not documented viz., Urpod beel in Goalpara district, Jinjiram River in Lakhipur district and Beki river in Barpeta district etc. The existing Gharial population has faced tremendous conservation threats owing to extensive hunting pressure. In Urpod beel, three adult Gharials were seen, of which one was captured by the local people. Gharial was completely extirpated from most of the previously known sites of Assam. But, there is a conservation scope for this critically endangered species in some potential live sites and as well as relocate the species in some earlier potential sites. To unearth the detailed existing distribution localities, intensive field investigation is urgently required in Assam.

Key words: Re-sightings, new sighting, threats, prospects habitat, wetland, tectonic lake