KATHMANDU: A total of 105 Gharial crocodiles, raised at the crocodile breeding center of Chitwan National Park, have been released into the Rapti river as part of conservation efforts. The aim of raising crocodiles in the breeding center is to support the conservation of the Gharial species, as their survival and growth rates in their natural habitat are low, according to Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the park's information officer.

The Gharial Crocodile Breeding Center, established in 2035 BS, has released a total of 1,957 crocodiles into various rivers across the country. Among these, 1,222 were released into the Rapti River, 419 into the Narayani River, and smaller numbers into other rivers such as the Babai, Saptakoshi, Kaligandaki, Karnali, West Rapti River of Banke National Park, and Chaudhar river of Shuklaphanta National Park.

Despite efforts to raise and release crocodiles, the overall population has not seen a significant increase. Conservation efforts are challenged by human activities and the migration of crocodiles across borders into India. The Gharial Crocodile, listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and under Appendix I of CITES, faces ongoing threats to its survival in its native range across South Asia.