According to the Forest Department, the environment of the Chambal Safari has been peaceful in the recent past. The officer attributes this decline in the death cases to the improved and better safety management. The Chambal Safari is spread in three Northern Indian States of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and is home to numerous freshwater species.

Gharial population in the Chambal river had suffered a jolt in three months starting from December 2007 to February 2008, as more than 100 gharials perished after being affected from unknown ‘toxin’. Mass deaths of gharials were reported for the first time from Barchauli village in Etawah range of the sanctuary on December 8, 2007.

The forest officers have informed that following the death of gharials in the large number last year, a joint meeting of officers of three States was held in Agra.

The patrolling and monitoring was conducted as per the decisions of the meeting and the decision paid rich dividends as no incident of death of Ghariyals took place till now this year.

This year three teams have been constituted for boosting the vigilance in the region. The enhanced vigilance has also checked illegal poaching in the region.

The improved vigilance has not only prevented cases of deaths but also the Ghariyal population has increased to 997. The Chief Conservator of Forest, RB Sinha, said that three parties have been constituted for patrolling in Chambal Safari. They are conducting regular monitoring in the region.

No untoward incident has been informed so far, he added.

The officer added that Forest Department staff were also conducting inspection during the night time.