Guwahati, June 30: The sighting of a juvenile gharial in the Kekaidong River in West Karbi Anglong reflects the gradual revival of Assam’s river ecosystems, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday, June 30.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister described the presence of the endangered reptile as a positive indicator of improving ecological health in the state.
“Healthy rivers tell their own story. The sighting of a juvenile gharial in the Kekaidong River, West Karbi Anglong, reflects the steady revival of Assam’s natural ecosystems,” Sarma said.
He added that the development reinforces the importance of sustained conservation efforts to protect the state’s biodiversity and natural habitats. “It encourages us to remain steadfast in protecting the rich biodiversity that defines our State,” he further stated.
The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a fish-eating crocodilian native to the Indian subcontinent, is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its presence is widely considered a strong indicator of a healthy freshwater ecosystem, as the species depends on clean and free-flowing rivers for survival.
