The recent survey of saltwater crocodiles in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve shows rising population and demographic diversity, marking ecological success and a shift from charismatic species like tigers and elephants.

About Sundarbans

• Cross-Border Ecological Marvel: This region is the world’s largest mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, spread across both India and Bangladesh.

About Saltwater Crocodiles (Salties)

• Habitat & Distribution: The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a crocodilian native to saltwater habitats, brackish wetlands and freshwater rivers from India’s east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaland to northern Australia and Micronesia.
• Size & Significance: They are the world’s largest living reptiles.

From Legislation to Action: Crocodile Protection in India

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: This act is crucial for wildlife conservation in India.
  • Schedules I and II: Provide absolute protection to animals like tigers, elephants, and salt water crocodiles, imposing the highest penalties for hunting them.
  • Schedules III and IV: Offer protection but with lesser penalties.
  • Schedule V: Lists “vermin” animals (e.g., crows, fruit bats) that can be hunted.
  • Schedule VI: Lists plants whose cultivation is prohibited.
    • The blanket legal protection for crocodiles under this act was a key factor.
• Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project: This is India’s only crocodile-specific captive breeding centre.
  • Working Mechanism: The Forest Department collects crocodile eggs from the wild, incubates them in a safe environment at the centre, rears the hatchlings until they are strong, and then releases them back into the Sundarbans.
  • Necessity: This project provides a head start because the survival rate of crocodile hatchlings in the wild is very low due to predators, natural disasters, and internal conflicts.
    • The success is attributed to this combination of legal protection and targeted breeding action.

A Shift in Conservation Mindset

• Focus on “Charismatic Species”: Historically, conservation efforts have focused on “charismatic species” like tigers, elephants, snow leopards, and pandas, which attract funding, public opinion, and government projects (e.g., Project Tiger, Project Elephant).
• Neglect of “Non-Charismatic Species”: Many critically important species, like crocodiles, snakes, frogs, and insects, are considered as non-charismatic, receiving less public affection and making it difficult to secure funding.
• Science-Based Conservation: Recognizing and valuing the ecological role of species like crocodiles was a crucial mindset shift, moving conservation beyond charisma to evidence-based protection.

Ecological Roles of Crocodiles

• Apex Predator: Crocodiles are at the top of their food chain, with no natural predators.
• Keystone Species: They are vital to the entire ecosystem; their removal would lead to the collapse of the ecosystem.
• Ecological Functions:
  • Population Control: They control the populations of fish, crabs, and other aquatic animals, preventing overpopulation.
  • Scavengers: They clean the water by eating dead animals, preventing the spread of diseases.
  • Ecological Indicator: A healthy crocodile population indicates a healthy ecosystem, with good food availability, water quality, and breeding habitats.
    • Conserving crocodiles means conserving the entire mangrove ecosystem.

Challenges in Crocodile Conservation

• Climate Change: Sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion into rivers make the water more saline, which salt water crocodiles can tolerate, but their prey (like frogs and fresh-water turtles) cannot. 
  • This impacts the crocodile’s food source.
• Habitat Fragmentation: Rising sea levels and erosion are fragmenting mangrove habitats, destroying animal homes.
• Reactive Approach: Current conservation efforts are often reactive, addressing problems only after they arise.

Way Forward

• Enabling assisted breeding: Enabling assisted breeding can secure vulnerable populations against climate-induced habitat loss. 
  • It should be coupled with habitat restoration to ensure long-term resilience.
• Public Communication: Educate the public on the importance of species like crocodiles.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Identify areas less impacted by climate change for targeted protection.

Conclusion

Crocodile recovery illustrates that non-charismatic species benefit from law and policy when given attention.

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