From brink of extinction to flourishing: Bihar's Gandak river now home to over 200 Gharials

Conservation efforts by the Bihar government in the Gandak river have increased the number of gharials seen in a recent survey from 30 in 2014 to 217. The Gandak river is now the second successful breeding site for gharials in India after the Chambal sanctuary. Thirty captive-born gharials, reared at Patna zoo, were released in the Gandak in 2014 as part of the conservation project launched in association with Wildlife Trust of India. The success has led to calls to declare the Gandak river as a conservation reserve for gharials, a critically endangered species.

India’s forest, tree cover at 25.17% due to large scale plantation works: Govt to UN

India's forest and tree cover reaches 25.17% of geographical area, driven by national initiatives like Aravalli Green Wall and Green India Mission. The country shared ecosystem valuation insights at the UN, emphasizing sustainable forest governance.