Gharials or Gavials

Gharials or Gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts which resembles a pot.
Their natural habitat is fresh waters of the northern part of India includes

Primary Habitat – Chambal River
Secondary Habitat – Ghaghra and Gandak river, Girwa river (Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh), Ramganga river in Jim Corbett National Park and the Sone river.

Population of Gharials are a good indicator of clean river water.
Gharials are a type of Crocodilians that also includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, etc.
In comparison to Crocodiles, Gharials are very shy and unharmful species.
Gharials are critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Species.
Listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Listed on Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Conservation Efforts includes

Gharials prefer sandbanks as suitable habitats, Wild animals as well as humans often destroy their eggs.
Increased river pollution, dam construction, massive-scale fishing operations and floods.
Illegal sand mining and poaching.

Recently Government of Uttar Pradesh has released Gharials in the Ghaghara River for the conservation and protection in natural habitat.

Three important Crocodilias in India

The mugger crocodile is India’s most common species – They are not as long as saltwater crocodiles.
Their average size is about 13–14 feet, it is found in lakes and rivers throughout the country.

They are found in the eastern states of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Nicobar and Andaman Islands.
Saltwater crocodiles live in the mangroves of Bhittarkanika and Sunderbans, Mahanadi Delta, and in the swamplands in Odisha and West Bengal (including rivers).