Q. If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit? (UPSC Prelims 2017)
Answer: Chambal River
Notes: The correct answer is [B] Chambal River. The National Chambal Sanctuary (also known as the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary) is the most significant and best-preserved natural habitat for this critically endangered species.Why Chambal River is the best place:

• Largest Population: The Chambal River, which flows through Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, hosts the largest surviving wild population of gharials in the world.
• Ideal Conditions: Gharials require deep, fast-flowing rivers with high sandbanks for basking and nesting. The clean, unpolluted waters of the Chambal provide the perfect ecosystem for them to thrive alongside the Gangetic River Dolphin and Mugger Crocodiles.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• [A] Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha): This site is famous for its massive Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). While conservation efforts for gharials have occurred in Odisha (Satkosia Gorge), Bhitarkanika is primarily the domain of the "salties."
• [C] Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu): This is a brackish water lagoon primarily known for its Flamingo population and migratory birds. It is not a habitat for gharials.
• [D] Deepor Beel (Assam): This is a freshwater lake and a Ramsar site near Guwahati. While it is rich in avian biodiversity and aquatic life, it is not a natural habitat for gharials, which prefer riverine systems.

Quick Facts about the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus):

• Physical Feature: They are easily distinguished by their long, thin snouts and the "Ghara" (pot-like structure) on the nose of adult males.
• Diet: Unlike other crocodiles, gharials are primarily piscivorous (fish-eaters).
• Conservation Status: They are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.