‘Kumbhira Bandhus’ to secure gharials in Mahanadi

BHUBANESWAR: ‘Kumbhira’ Bandhus (Friends of Crocodiles) will now help the Forest department in protecting the gharials in Mahanadi river system. After scripting success in the first phase of ‘Gharial Species Recovery’ programme in Mahanadi, wildlife wing of the Forest department and Nandankanan Zoological Park are all set to roll out its second phase this year with introduction of Kumbhira Bandhus. To be engaged in the line with Gajabandhus (who look into elephant conservation), Kumbhira Bandhus will be the village level community leaders responsible for gharial conservation.

They will create awareness on gharial conservation among the local communities, prevent human-crocodile conflict and ensure safe rescue of the fish eating crocodile from nets. They will be engaged by the state government at villages within the forest divisions along the banks of Mahanadi river.

“Gharial conservation in Mahanadi is purely a community-driven project where participation and support of the local villagers, primarily the fishermen community, is extremely important. And through Kumbhira Bandhus our efforts will be to involve as many community members as possible in the conservation drive,”said RCCF Bhubaneswar Sanjeet Kumar.