Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary

Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, was established in 1981 under Project Crocodile to conserve the critically endangered gharial, a unique crocodilian species with a long, narrow snout.

The sanctuary covers around 105 square kilometers along a 210 km stretch of the Son River and its tributaries—Banas and Gopad rivers. It provides vital sandy riverbank habitats essential for gharial nesting and supports other wildlife including the Mugger crocodile, Indian softshell turtle, smooth-coated otters, and a rich variety of bird species with over 100 species recorded.

Notably, the sanctuary is a crucial breeding ground for the vulnerable Indian Skimmer bird, contributing to its status as an important area for avian biodiversity. Despite conservation efforts, threats such as illegal sand mining, dam water fluctuations, and human infrastructure projects have impacted gharial populations, but recent initiatives have led to some recovery with new hatchlings reported.

The sanctuary offers a rare chance to see gharials and several other aquatic and avifaunal species in their natural riverine ecosystem, playing a key role in regional wildlife conservation.