The almost extinct and critically endangered species of Gharial Crocodiles and two other varieties Ganges River Dolphin and Red Crowned Roof Turtle are the happy residents of National Chambal Sanctuary, and so this Sanctuary is also known as National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, which occupies an area of 5400 square km of protected area, incidentally it is owned by three states of the country India, viz., Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and so administered as a Tri State Eco reserve. It is situated closer to Etawah ofUttar Pradesh, having the pleasure of the Chambal River flowing through, amidst ravines and hills, providing sandy beaches in a stretch of 425 km distance.

History

It was on 30th September 1978 that the Government of India gave its approval for formation of the National Chambal Sanctuary, which was to be further declared as Wildlife sanctuary by three states, as its location falls in an area which is under the jurisdiction of the States of Rajasthan, Uttar Padesh and Madhya Pradesh, its status as  Wildlife Sanctuary having been established by declaration under 18(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, three separate notifications following the above declararion.

While this region is protected by the India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,  the Sanctuary is managed by the Forest Deparment,with a Project Officer administering with his Office at Morena in Madhya Pradesh.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Winter here takes the temperature as low as 2 degree Celsius, while Summer goes upto 40degree Celsius, monsoon rendering average rainfall, it is possible to visit the Sanctuary throughout the year, although experts recommend November to March as the best period to visit, when the migratory bird population would soar.

How to Reach

Reaching National Chambal Sanctuary by road is pretty easy from Agra which is 90 km away and there are plenty of public transport buses available, besides taxis and other private carriages.

By Train

The nearby railway station is also situated at Agra, which has a busy junction receiving trains from various parts of India, particularly from Nation’s capital region and from Agra one can travel  by road to the Sanctuary site.

By Air

Agra Airport is the nearest airport as well, which is connected well with various destinations of the world, and any traveller from the world can alight here to reach Chambal Sanctuary by road.

Location Map

Wildlife

Among the Wildlife species living here, predominant are the most endangered Gharial Crocodile and Red Crowned  Roof  Turtle, and Gnages River Dolphin comes next, while there are many other inhabitants which are coming under endangered category which include Muggar Crocodile, Striped Hyena, Smooth Coated Otter, Indian Wolf etc. This sanctuary houses 8 to 26 rare turtle varieties, which include  Indian narrow-headed soft shell turtle,  crowned river turtle, Three-striped roof turtle etc, while there are many other reptile species that inhabit here such as Indian flap shell turtle, Indian roofed turtle, Soft Shell turtle, Monitor lizard ,Indian tent turtle etc.

Among other species one can see here Mammals of less concern such as Rhesus Macaque, Golden Jackal, Hanuman Langur,  Bengal Fox, Indian Small Mongoose, Common Palm Civet,Indian Grey Mongoose, Wild Boar, Jungle cat,Sambar, Blackbuck, Nilgai, Indian Gazelle , Porcupine, Northern Palm Squirrel, Indian Flying Fox, Indian Hare  and Hedgehog.

Another important feature that the National Chambal Sanctuary enjoys  is that it is known as an important bird area (IN122) with at least 320  bird species of resident and migratory varieties, the migratory birds originating from Siberia forming  a section of its impressive fauna, while  birds of vulnerable  species type dwelling here include Sarus Crane, Indian skimmer,  Indian Courser and Pallas's Fish Eagle.

With regard to the threatened species, Lesser Flamingos and  Pallid Harrier are to be mentioned, while Winter visitors include Red-crested Pochard, Black-bellied Terns,  Ferruginous Pochard besides Bar-headed Goose, apart from other species such as  Great Thick-knee, Darters ,Greater Flamingos, Brown Hawk Owl etc
Plant varieties in the Chambal Ecology include Khair, Plash, Churel and Ber, which bear botanical names of Mimosa catechu Acacia catechu, Flame of the Forest Butea monosperma, Indian Elm Tree Holoptelia integrifolia, Indian Plum Ziziphus mauritiana respectively, while Grassy patches beautify this Sanctuary on both sides of the flowing  river.

Fresh water Dolphins  make the Sanctuary special, becoming its main attraction , which include 21 Ft Crocodile,  Rare turtles, 18 Ft Gharial etc

Safaris

Jeep Safari

Jeep Safari in National Chambal Sanctuary is not only facilitative  but also thrilling as the Jeeps drive through sections which a normal motor vehicle can not drive through, while the Administration of forest rest houses would arrange for Jeep safaris, which would take the visitors through Chambal ravines which are still virgin with nature’s bounty of ecology.

Camel Safari

Camel ride is a specialty of Rajasthan, as even normal transporting needs are catered by Camels, in which people ride distances while large amount of goods are transported on Camel backs. With regard to touring Chambal Sanctuary, Camel Safari is arranged giving the pleasure of Camel ride to visitors, particularly coming from other part of the country, if not in the Globe, visiting animal friends in the Sanctuary is enabled with utmost safety by the administration.

Timings and Fees

This Wildlife Santuary, like many others, allow people to visit during day time only, however, for the boat ride from Palighat to Rameshwar Ghat, which is part of the visit to this Wild life Sanctuary, people are allowed to take up the ride only upto 2 pm as the travel time normally takes 3 hours.

Where to Stay

Visitors to the Sanctuary can choose to stay in any of the Forest Rest Houses situated at Sarson, Chaker Nagar, Baiwan, Bah or Etawah, which are equipped with amenities for resting and eating, with provisions for food, besides arranging for Safaris and Official guides.

General Information

It is a general requirement for Visitors  to observe certain etiquettes and decorum in the park, which include

The layout of the park is depicted in the map annexed.

Photo Gallery