Survey Report of Mugger in Kotmi Nagar Sonar Park, Janjgir Champa, Chattisgarh

Executive Summary :

KotmiSonar Par1< In Janjgir Champa district of Chhattisgarh in India was founded in the year 2006. There is a water body of 3 km periphery inside the park. It has been a safe abode for crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), for the past several years. but in the absence or any detailed studies in the past no specific data is available. Extensive study was recently undertaken to establish proper status of the mugger population density. The  present  study  was also carried out for the status of muggers present in the area. The habitat features, pond profile, activities of tourists data were also collected. A total of 168 Mugger (88 adults, 39 sub adults, 27 Juveniles, 12 Yearlings and 02 Hatchlings) occur in the Crocodile park were also sighted. Some recommendations have been suggested on the basis of observations during the present survey. The survey results provide baseline information which would assist in developing conservation and management action plan for the park.

Acknowledgement :

I(RKS) express my deep sense  of gratitude to Shri. Jagdishan, Conservator of Forest. Circle Bilaspur for his survey initiative and support Without his support this survey wouldn’t have been completed and thanks to Madam Premlata Yadav, Divisional Forest Officer, Janjgir-Champa, for inviting  me to carry out the survey work. I express my sincere thanks for the support and active participation of Shri Sanchit Sharma (Assistant Conservator of Forest). for his sustained interest and logistics support and encouragement at every step during the survey also thankful to Shri Anlmesh Singh, Range officer and frontline forest staff for their assistance during the survey. I am also thankful to my survey team members and Dr. Sanjay  Parashar, Mr.Suyash Jagat for  active participation the  survey. I am grateful to Dr.LAK  Singh, former  Officer-in-Charge  of  the  Central Crocodile Breeding and Management Training  Institute,  Hyderabad. for  providing  me with  training materials and advising me from time to time. Lastly, I would  also Thank Shri. B.C. Choudhary.  Retd. Senior Scientific Officer, Wll Dehradun, for his valuable suggestions and encouragement for this work.

Background As per the instructions of Divisional Forest Officer. Janjgir-Champa Chhattisgarh, letter no. I expenditure I 01/ 8001 / 2021/ Champal dated 29-11-2021,a survey of mugger in Crocodile Park. Kotmi Sonar was carried out from in December 2021.

Introduction :

Kotmi Sonar Park in Janjgir Champa district of Chhattisgarh in India was founded in year 2006.and finally established as a Crocodile Park for tourists in 2008.The Park provides 57 hectare of total area (Fig 1). Although, there have been reports for occurrence of muggers in Kotmi Sonar Crocodile Park, however no systematic survey has been conducted in this area, so far.

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