National Chambal Sanctuary
Biodiversity and Legal Status
The National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) is a linear wildlife sanctuary spanning approximately 5,400 sq km along the Chambal River across three states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. It was established in the 1970s and is governed by the tristate agreement alongside individual state Wildlife Protection Act notifications. The sanctuary is one of the last refuges for three critically endangered or endangered freshwater species: the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) — classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN with a wild population of approximately 600-900; the red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga); and the Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), India's national aquatic animal. The Chambal supports the largest surviving wild population of gharials globally.
- Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus): Schedule I, WPA 1972; IUCN — Critically Endangered; India holds >98% of world's wild population.
- Gangetic river dolphin: Schedule I, WPA 1972; IUCN — Endangered; India's National Aquatic Animal (declared 2009).
- Red-crowned roofed turtle: IUCN — Critically Endangered; Schedule IV, WPA 1972.
- Sand mining ban in NCS: In force since 2006; however, enforcement has been persistently inadequate.
- The Chambal is considered one of India's cleanest rivers due to its relatively low industrial and agricultural encroachment.
● Tracked since March 13, 2026 · last seen April 02, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes