30 crocs recorded in Maharashtra Pench

Nagpur: Thirty crocodiles were recorded at the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra, during the three-day maiden survey. The teams followed the ‘modified belt transect on boat method’, a type of line transect where observers survey riverbanks from point A to B and record direct and indirect evidence.
“Though it’s a well-known fact that Pench River and Lower Pench dam reservoir have crocodiles and turtles, the basic aim of the survey was to establish seasonal distribution and generate baseline data of herpetofauna diversity,” said A Sreelakshmi, conservator, and field director.
The three-day survey was organized between June 2-4, 2023, in which 25 participants, including 12 from six states and field staff participated.
Crocodiles are apex predators in riverine ecosystems, and their presence is an indicator of good health. The survey was designed and coordinated by technical partner Tinsa Ecological Foundation.
The entire area was divided into three parts – Totladoh, its connecting stretch, and Lower Pench reservoir. Out of the 15 camps, 11 were selected for survey for independent sampling.
Each camp was taken as a centre, and two sampling trails covering upstream and downstream were selected. Each team covered a minimum of two survey trails (samples) and a maximum of four, depending upon travel time from Kolitmara in west Pench to respective camps.
Boats with the PTR and those belonging to fishermen were used for the survey. This is the third such citizen science-based survey in Pench. Earlier, bird and butterfly surveys were conducted.
“The teams covered nearly 200km of river length during which a minimum of 30 crocodiles were observed along with 24 dens. Stretch from Nandpur protection hut to Kirangisarra showed the highest density of 16 crocodiles,” Prabhu Nath Shukla, deputy director, PTR, said.
Turtles were also sighted, but only in Totladoh reservoir. For the first time a Leith’s softshell turtle, classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, was also found.
“The teams also searched for otters but could not find them. However, fishermen revealed there were records of sightings,” added Shukla.
Full report on www.toi.in