Kendrapara: As India prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Crocodile Conservation Programme on June 17, Odisha stands out as the sole state that is home to all three species of crocodiles, showcasing its success in the conservation of saltwater crocodiles.

Prior to the establishment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972, the hunting of these reptiles for commercial gain was rampant.

In 1975, Odisha initiated conservation efforts for all three crocodilian species: gharial, mugger, and estuarine crocodiles, a pioneering move that no other state undertook at that time.

According to a researcher involved in the project, these conservation initiatives have significantly transformed the situation.

Currently, Bhitarkanika National Park is home to 1,826 saltwater crocodiles, while Satkosia Gorge hosts 16 gharials, as reported in the January 2025 census. Additionally, around 300 muggers inhabit the state's rivers, as stated by an official.

The saltwater crocodile conservation project at Bhitarkanika National Park, which faced the threat of extinction five decades ago, has emerged as the most successful initiative in the nation.

Researcher Sudhakar Kar noted that Bhitarkanika houses nearly 70% of India's estuarine crocodile population.

Kar, who previously served as a research officer in the state forest department, explained, "This species is also found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Sundarbans in West Bengal, but their numbers are significantly lower there. The population of saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika and its adjacent river systems has surged from 96 in 1975 to 1,826 in 2025."

Approximately one-third of this population consists of adults or subadults, indicating a positive trend for the species' growth.

Dr. Kar emphasized that the recovery of these once-threatened species, particularly saltwater crocodiles, has been remarkable.

The success of the crocodile conservation project is largely attributed to the protection of their habitats and the designation of mangrove forests as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

With the forest department enforcing the Wildlife Sanctuary Protection Act, human activities in the river systems and mangrove forests have been restricted, creating a safe environment for crocodiles.

Before the Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted, indiscriminate hunting of crocodiles and the destruction of mangrove forests were common.

"I grew up in these areas and witnessed crocodile skins being sold in markets during the late sixties and early seventies," he recalled.

The protection of natural habitats through legislation has curtailed poaching, allowing the government to focus on rebuilding crocodile populations through captive breeding, as hatchling survival rates in the wild are low due to predation.

Initially, implementing the conservation programme was challenging, but it gained momentum as the department educated the public about the stringent provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.

The conservation strategy included a "rear and release" method, where eggs were collected from wild nests and bred in hatcheries before being released back into the wild. This initiative continued until 1995, as the survival rate of young crocodiles is low due to predation by fish and other aquatic species.

Kar pointed out that crocodiles play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem, helping to keep riverine environments clean and protecting mangrove forests from illegal logging, as locals tend to avoid areas inhabited by crocodiles.

The forest department has also taken measures to address human safety concerns by installing bamboo barriers at over 150 bathing ghats to prevent crocodile attacks.

"Human-crocodile conflicts typically arise during the rainy season in certain areas. We issue alerts during this time within the jurisdiction of Bhitarkanika National Park," stated Manas Das, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Rajnagar Mangrove Division.