Data Zone
Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: The area is of importance for both resident and migratory waterfowl, especially Common Teal Anas crecca, Northern Pintail A. acuta, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina, and Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis. Small numbers of Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Common Crane Grus grus, Sarus Crane G. antigone, and Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda are also found along the river (Scott 1989). National Chambal Sanctuary is one of the most important bird areas in India, being the breeding site of the Indian Skimmer. This wetland has been listed as a Priority V (high priority) wetland, i.e., a wetland with high ecological and socioeconomic potential but poor data availability (Samant 2000).
OTHER KEY FAUNA: This Sanctuary was established to rehabilitate the Gharial. Good protection during the last 30 years has also benefited the Smooth Indian Otter Lutra perspicillata, the Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus palustris and the Gangetic Dolphin Platanista gangetica.
Terrestrial mammals seen are the Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Porcupine Hystrix indica, Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis, Indian fox Vulpes bengalensis and Golden Jackal Canis aureus. The Indian Wolf Canis lupus is reported from the surrounding areas. There are reports of Chinkara Gazella bennettii also from some drier areas. As fishing is totally prohibited (to safeguard the food of Gharial, Marsh Crocodile, Otter and Dolphin), the fish fauna has improved.
Chambal is also famous for several species of turtles such as Lissemys punctata, Chitra indica, Kachuga kachuga, K. dhongoka, K. tentoria, Trionyx gangeticus and Hardella thurjii.
The major problem of this riverine sanctuary is illegal mining of sand. Although the Forest Department is trying to promote tourism, the industry has not picked up because of security concerns, as this area used to be a notorious hideout of bandits. Patrolling the long river stretch by boat poses security problems to Forest Department staff due to threat from illegal hunters. The Irrigation Department’s water upliftment project has built a huge pump in the Sanctuary at Pinahat, which reduces water level during the summer, joining nesting islands to the bank. This adversely affects the breeding of the Indian Skimmer; very few birds have been able to breed between 2001-03. The degree of illegal fishing varies, depending on the interest of the concerned forest official. However, the biggest conservation issue for bird life is cultivation of Watermelon Citrullus lanatus, Muskmelon Cucumis melo, Cucumber C. sativus and other summer vegetables, which disturbs the nesting islands of Indian Skimmer, River Tern, Black-bellied Tern and other summer breeders. Due to decrease of water in the river, most of these sandy islands become easily accessible to foxes, dogs and cats, which sometimes destroy whole nesting colonies. The increasing demand of nearby towns to draw water for drinking and irrigation is a long term threat. There is a proposal to draw water through pumps to provide potable water to Dholpur, Bharatpur and 990 villages. This would further deplete the water of Chambal when it is most required.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary (Agra/Etawah) (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/national-chambal-wildlife-sanctuary-(agra-etawah)-iba-india on 23/12/2024.