Why in News
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) sought proof of action by Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan against illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary.
Prelims Pointers
National Chambal Sanctuary spans Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, protecting gharials, freshwater turtles and Gangetic dolphins.
The Chambal rises near Mhow in Madhya Pradesh’s Vindhyan region and joins the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, within the Ganga drainage system.
The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a freshwater crocodilian with a long, narrow snout. Adults feed mainly on fish.
The gharial is classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Gharials depend on both river pools and sandy banks.
Deep river pools provide aquatic habitat.
Sandy banks and bars provide basking and nesting sites. Females lay eggs in sandy riverbanks.
Panna Tiger Reserve and Ken Gharial Sanctuary concern the Ken River.
Prelims Traps
“Gharials primarily inhabit mangrove swamps.” This is incorrect. They inhabit freshwater rivers such as the Chambal. (UPSC Prelims 2017)
“National Chambal Sanctuary lies only in Madhya Pradesh.” This is incorrect. It also extends into Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.