Chambal Ghariyal Sanctuary Morena- a must visit spot of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India is know for its natural beauty ,wild life and rich culture. Morena a district of Madhya Pradesh had great importance in Indian cinema in 60s and 70s. People who have seen that period must be familar with movies like ganga ki saugandh , Daku man Singh,  Chambal ki kasam and no one can forget about the great hit Sholey. All these films had stories that reveolved around dacoits and chambal(morena )used to be the center of It. With the passage of time things are changed and it has moved forward towards development. Madhya pradesh has many  famous national parks and wild life sanctuaries like Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh  National park,Sanjay gandhi national Park etc,etc. but their are few not so known but extreamly beautiful sancturies which could not attract tourist due to lack of information about it.Chambal  Ghariyal Sanctuary can be classified as one of them.
The sanctuary is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary is administered by the Department of Forest under the Project Officer with headquarter at Morena, Madhya Pradesh.

                                       

Ghariyals are reptiles which are generally confused with crocodile and alligator but this is a different species ,they have elongated snout which has a pitcher shaped structure on its tip.The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as the gavial, and the fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian of the family Gavialidae,native to the Indian Subcontinent. The global gharial population is estimated at fewer than 235 individuals, which are threatened by loss of riverine habitat, depletion of fish resources and use of fishing nets. As the population has declined drastically in the past 70 years, the gharial is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.This sanctuary is an attempt to save them. 

Ghariya resting at the bank of Chambal river

Chambal River

The rare Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista Gangetica), the sole member of the Cetaceans group is one of the 
main attraction of the sanctuary. The Dolphins inspite of being blind can be seen
pursuing their playful antics in the water while coming out to breathe for air. The Chambal sanctuary is one of 
their safest breeding areas. And one has to really lucky to sight one while cruising in the Chambal.Dolphinsins are one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles, crocodiles and sharks. The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in 1801. Ganges river dolphins once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. But the species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges

International Women's Day Celebration with Adivasis women in village Toda and Devri of Pohari Block of Shivpuri district,M.P, India

Interacting with women of Toda village

It has adivasi people and people belonging to Valmi samaj  (as told by women who came to celebrate international Women's day). We talked about their problems and came to know about water crisis. They told us that they bathe their children in 3-4 days because thay dont have enough water to drink even. sanitation problem was clearly visible. Most of the people of this village work as labour and majority of women had gone to work on farms . No medical facility could be seen there. Although women of the village were satisfied with the education of the village but only one women who is anganvadi sahayika was educated upto 5th class and told that she can read and write. All other women told that they are illitrate. A young lady who was most well dressed told that she had studied upto 5th standard but has forgotten everything and can't read or write.Samvedna -a society for global concerns and Shaktishali Mahila Sangathan motivated them to stand for themselves. All the women present there said that they are able to solve they problems and will take steps in thius direction. They all promised that they will educate their children particularly daughters.

International Women's day at Devari Village of Pohari Block-
Devrikala village is on the main road and people of this village are in better position then the people of Toda Village.Most of the families have farms and cattles. Ms Kesar is the newly appointed sarpanch of this village. Women were unsatisfied with the development of the village.We honoured Ms kesar for her success and discussed problems of village with her. The newly appointed sarpanch Ms. Kesar said that she will work for the betterment of society she will solve problems. Women were very much unsatisfied with the education and were saying that their children are not learning any thing in the school. Children of all age group are going either to Anganvadi or to school and are getting mid day meal and other support provided by M,P government.Mr.Ravi Goyal and Mr. Pramod Yadav of Shaktishali Mahila Sangathan and Dr, Chitra Shrivastav of Samvedna promised them to give timely help and guidance from time to time.