New Delhi: On June 17, 2025, India marked a historic milestone, celebrating 50 years of its Crocodile Conservation Project (CCP) on World Crocodile Day. Launched on April 1, 1975, this pioneering initiative has transformed the fate of India’s three native crocodilian species—the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), and the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)—from the brink of extinction to thriving populations. Odisha, the only Indian state hosting all three species in the wild, has emerged as the epicenter of this globally acclaimed conservation success.
Origins of the Crocodile Conservation Project
The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1975 following a 1974 survey by renowned herpetologist H.R. Bustard, which revealed that India’s crocodilian populations were critically endangered. Alarmed by the findings, the Government of India, with technical and financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), initiated the CCP. The primary objective was to protect crocodiles’ natural habitats and rebuild their populations through captive breeding and release programs.
The project began in Odisha, with incubation and rearing centers established at Tikarpada (Satkosia) for gharials, Dangamal (Bhitarkanika) for saltwater crocodiles, and Ramatirtha (Similipal) for mugger crocodiles. These centers collected eggs from the wild, incubated them under controlled conditions, and reared hatchlings in specially designed pools until they reached 1.2 meters—a size safe from most natural predators. In June 1975, just two months after the project’s launch, the first gharial and saltwater crocodile hatchlings emerged, marking a historic moment for Indian wildlife conservation.
Odisha’s Pioneering Role
Odisha’s contributions have been central to the CCP’s success, making it a global leader in crocodile conservation. The state is uniquely positioned as the only one in India to host wild populations of all three crocodilian species. Bhitarkanika National Park is home to 1,826 saltwater crocodiles, representing nearly 70% of India’s estuarine crocodile population. Satkosia Gorge in the Mahanadi River supports 16 gharials, while around 300 mugger crocodiles inhabit the state’s rivers, as per the January 2025 census.
Odisha’s efforts began with a small breeding population of saltwater crocodiles surviving in Bhitarkanika’s mangrove swamps, gharials persisting in the Mahanadi River, and mugger crocodiles in forested river stretches like Ramatirtha. The state appointed dedicated wildlife biologists, established India’s first conservation breeding pools at Nandankanan Zoological Park and Dangamal, and collaborated internationally by importing an adult male gharial from the Frankfurt Zoological Society to bolster breeding efforts.
Bhitarkanika and Satkosia were declared protected habitats for saltwater crocodiles and gharials, respectively, later upgraded to National Park and Tiger Reserve status. Odisha also became the first state to release captive-reared crocodiles into the wild and produced India’s first PhDs in crocodilian research, cementing its leadership in conservation science.
Conservation Success Across Species
The CCP has achieved remarkable recovery for all three crocodilian species, positioning India as a global model for reptilian conservation.
Saltwater Crocodile Recovery
The saltwater crocodile, the largest living reptile, has seen its population surge from just 96 in Bhitarkanika in 1975 to 1,880 in 2025. India’s total saltwater crocodile population is approximately 2,500, with Bhitarkanika hosting the largest share, followed by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Sundarbans in West Bengal. About one-third of Bhitarkanika’s population consists of adults or subadults, indicating strong potential for further growth. The success is attributed to habitat protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which halted poaching and mangrove destruction, and the “rear and release” technique, which continued until 1995.
Mugger Crocodile Rebound
The mugger crocodile, once severely depleted, has reclaimed most of its historical range in the Ganga River drainage, with an estimated 8,000–10,000 individuals nationwide. In Odisha, over 200 muggers were recorded in 2025, thriving in rivers across the state. Captive breeding and habitat restoration have been key to this recovery, with centers like Ramatirtha in Similipal playing a vital role.
Gharial Conservation Triumph
The critically endangered gharial has seen a remarkable resurgence, with India now hosting 80% of the global wild population—approximately 3,000 individuals. Over 400 gharial nests are recorded annually across the National Chambal Sanctuary (spanning Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan), Katarnia Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Gandak River, Corbett Tiger Reserve, and Son Gharial Sanctuary. Odisha’s Tikarpada center has been instrumental, with natural breeding in Satkosia Gorge increasing the local gharial population to 16.
Ongoing and Future Conservation Efforts
In March 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new Gharial Conservation Project to expand gharial populations across the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mahanadi rivers. This initiative aims to restore the species to its former range, particularly in Odisha’s Mahanadi, where conservation efforts have shown encouraging results. The Madras Crocodile Bank, along with over 20 zoos, supports breeding and reintroduction programs, reducing the need to collect wild eggs.
Odisha’s Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram SinghKhuntia emphasized the state’s commitment to turning crocodile conservation into a mass movement. On June 17, 2025, he highlighted crocodiles’ ecological role in maintaining healthy wetlands by removing dead organisms, thus preserving biodiversity. The state organized a week-long celebration, including meetings, seminars, workshops, photo exhibitions, quiz competitions, and painting contests, to mark the CCP’s 50th anniversary.
Bhubaneswar will host a national workshop on June 18, 2025, bringing together researchers, NGOs, and forest officials to strategize future conservation efforts. Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has proposed an academic center for wildlife research, further strengthening the state’s scientific contributions.
Ecological Significance and Challenges
Crocodiles are keystone species, vital for maintaining riverine ecosystems. As poikilothermic, nocturnal predators, they regulate prey populations and clean water bodies. However, they face threats like habitat destruction, egg predation, poaching, dams, and sand mining. In Bhitarkanika, human-crocodile conflict peaks during the rainy season, prompting the forest department to erect bamboo barricades at over 150 bathing ghats and issue alerts.
Odisha has mitigated conflicts through community initiatives like the “Crocodile Friends” program, incentivizing fishermen to return hatchlings safely, and compensating victims of crocodile attacks. Despite these efforts, shrinking habitats and loss of spawning grounds remain challenges, necessitating continued awareness, habitat protection, and research.
Odisha’s Global Benchmark
Odisha’s success has set a global benchmark, with its conservation model replicated in other countries. The state’s journey began with joint support from the Government of India and the United Nations, transforming crocodile populations from near extinction to thriving numbers. Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrat Sahu described the CCP’s 50-year journey as a “glorious” achievement, noting Odisha’s role as a worldwide example.
Researcher Sudhakar Kar, who began saltwater crocodile breeding in Bhitarkanika in 1975 alongside Australian herpetologist H.R. Bustard, continues his work 13 years post-retirement. Kar credits the project’s success to habitat protection, captive breeding, and community awareness, which have collectively ensured a safe and congenial environment for crocodiles.
Conclusion
As India celebrates 50 years of its Crocodile Conservation Project on World Crocodile Day 2025, Odisha stands tall as the heart of this monumental effort. From saving three crocodilian species from extinction to hosting 80% of the world’s wild gharial population, India’s achievements are unparalleled. With ongoing initiatives, community participation, and scientific innovation, the CCP continues to inspire global conservation efforts, ensuring a sustainable future for India’s crocodiles and their vital ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.What is the Crocodile Conservation Project in India?
The Crocodile Conservation Project (CCP) is a wildlife conservation initiative launched on April 1, 1975, by the Government of India, with support from UNDP and FAO. It aims to protect the natural habitats of India’s three native crocodilian species—gharial, saltwater crocodile, and mugger crocodile—and rebuild their populations through captive breeding and release programs. The project began in Odisha and has become a global model for reptilian conservation.
2.Why is Odisha significant in India’s crocodile conservation efforts?
Odisha is the only Indian state hosting wild populations of all three native crocodilian species. It has dedicated conservation centers at Tikarpada (Satkosia) for gharials, Dangamal (Bhitarkanika) for saltwater crocodiles, and Ramatirtha (Similipal) for mugger crocodiles. Bhitarkanika National Park houses nearly 70% of India’s saltwater crocodiles, and Odisha’s pioneering efforts, including habitat protection and scientific research, have set a global benchmark.
3.What are the population estimates of crocodiles in India as of 2025?
As of 2025, India’s crocodilian populations are:
- Gharials: Approximately 3,000 in the wild, with over 400 nests recorded annually across sanctuaries like National Chambal and Katarnia Ghat.
- Saltwater Crocodiles: Around 2,500, with 1,880 in Bhitarkanika, Odisha, and others in the Sundarbans and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Mugger Crocodiles: Estimated at 8,000–10,000, widespread across India, with over 200 in Odisha’s rivers.
4.What are the main threats to crocodiles in India?
Crocodiles face threats such as habitat destruction, egg predation, poaching, dams, and sand mining. In areas like Bhitarkanika, human-crocodile conflict increases during the rainy season. Odisha mitigates these through community initiatives, habitat protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and measures like bamboo barricades at bathing ghats to prevent attacks.
5.What new initiatives were announced for crocodile conservation in 2025?
In March 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new Gharial Conservation Project to expand gharial populations across the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mahanadi rivers. Odisha is also hosting a national workshop on June 18, 2025, to strategize future conservation efforts, and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has proposed an academic center for wildlife research to support ongoing initiatives.
