A Research Proposal on "Habitat and anthropogenic covariates

influencing the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) distribution and habitat use in

Narayani river of Chitwan National Park, Nepal"
(A partial fulfillment of the requirement for B.Sc. Forestry Degree, Tribhuvan University,
Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus)

Researcher
Chitra Rekha Basyal
Email: basyalrekha1999@gmail.com
Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campu

Research Advisor
Mr. Bijaya Neupane
Assistant Professor
Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus
E-mail: bneupane@iofpc.edu.np

Field Supervisor
Mr Ganesh Prasad Tiwari
Assisant Conservation Officer
Chitwan National Park

Research duration
4 months (February – June)

Submitted To
Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Pokhara
Abstract

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is one of the most endangered freshwater fauna on the planet.
Yet, information about the species habitat characteristics and anthropogenic threats influencing
its distribution and habitat use are still lacking in Nepal. The proposed research will study on
the effects of habitat attributes and human disturbances on gharial distribution and habitat use
in Narayani river of Chitwan National Park. For the study, (Gideni to Amaltari and Gajipur to
Amaltari) section of the Narayani river will be taken as Intensive Study Area (ISA) and boat
survey will be conducted for data collection. The habitat covariates like (river bank orientation,
river width, mid river depth, substrate type, topography/slope, water temperature, air
temperature, invasive species, availability of basking site and anthropogenic covariates like
(impact of dams, barrages, canals, pollution, sand-mining, riverbed cultivation, livestock
grazing, walking paths, wood collection, illegal fishing, human habitation) will be studied
during the boat survey. The data from the study will be analysed using MS Excel, Arc GIS and
SPSS. A binomial distribution model with logit link function will be used to analyze the factors
affecting the presence of gharial within the study area .i.e. The logit link function is: Log(y/1-
y). Modeling analysis will be performed using the statistical package: “R x 64 3.0.1". From the
study the habitat and anthropogenic covariates affecting the gharial distribution and habitat use
is expected to be determined as well as the potential habitat of the gharial within the study area
will be mapped. The study will ultimately help to understand the conservation need of the
species and contribute in designing the effective conservation strategies to maintain long term
survival of gharials in the river basins of Nepal.

Key words: Gharial, habitat use, threats, distribution, Narayani

Introduction

Nepal has lost almost twice as many freshwater species as terrestrial species over the last 50
years (World Wide Fund for Nature, 2016). One such species at elevated risk of rapidly
declining in freshwater ecosystems in Nepal is gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). The gharial is
considered as a flagship and keystone species of healthy freshwater ecosystems (Behera et al.,
2014) but is the last surviving member of a well-represented family Gavialidae. It is recognized
as one of the highest-ranking priority EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered)
reptile species (Gumbs et al., 2018). They are easily distinguished from other crocodilians
because of presence of an elongated and narrow snout with a noticeable bulbous shaped growth
termed as “Ghara” (narial outgrowth), which is found only on adult males (Whitaker, 2007).
Gharials are habitat and diet specialists. They prefer confluence of fast flowing rivers and spend
most of the time in water (Nair et al., 2012). They prefer nearby high sand banks for basking,
nesting and laying eggs and largely spend day time basking on the sand banks in winter.
Gharials occupy river stretch having zero to very low level of disturbance with fine sand banks,
especially deep pools with river conflux and greater prey availability (Nair 2010, Malla et al.,
2012).
The gharial is becoming increasingly rare due to land-use changes, reduction in water flow,
modification of river morphology, loss of nesting sites, increased mortality in fishing nets and
egg-collection for consumption (Whitaker, 2007; Hussain, 2009). They are particularly
vulnerable to flow regulation because they favor fast-flowing river environments, which are
ideal dam locations (Dudgeon, 2000). The problem of gharial habitat loss accelerated in Nepal
since the mid 1950s, when Terai was opened up for habitation as a result of an intensive malaria
eradication programme (Andrews and McEachern, 1994). Some direct threats to its existence
are killing for its skin and hunting its eggs for food and medicine. Similarly, fishing,
construction of dams and pollution from industrial effluents are some indirect threats to its
long-term survival.
The gharial is endemic to the Indian subcontinent (Lang et al., 2019) In Nepal, previously
gharial populations were spread throughout the 4 major rivers systems namely Koshi,
Narayani, Karnali and Mahakali rivers (Maskey, 1989). But, currently the core populations are
located in Rapti and Narayani rivers in Chitwan National Park and Babai and Karnali rivers in
Bardia National Park while the populations from Koshi and Mahakali rivers are already
extirpated (Lang et al., 2019). Despite numerous research efforts and conservation programs,
wild populations of gharial continue to decline. The species has been enlisted as critically
endangered species on the IUCN (International Union For Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources) Red List, Appendix-I in CITES (Lang et al., 2019) and Schedule-I of protected
species by the GoN (DNPWC, 2018; GoN, 1973).
For effective conservation and management of gharials within their natural habitats, it is
important to be able to assess species distribution and abundance, and the influence of habitat
attributes and human disturbances on them. This will indicate the population dynamics of the
species and is vital to determine the status of gharial populations and the success of
conservation efforts. Moreover, the ability to identify, quantify and map the limiting factors for
a species will enable the prediction of the abundance of that species. Habitat and threat studies
are essential to determine gharials habitat preference in the wild, assess the success and validity
of conservation measures, make management recommendations and design conservation
strategies (Nair, 2010).
To date, some studies have been conducted that focused on the status and distribution of gharial
in the rivers of Nepal (Bhatta, 2009; Khadka et al., 2008 ; Poudyal et al., 2018) and gharial
habitat occupancy and threats in the Rapti river (Neupane et al., 2020). However, the study
focusing on habitat characteristics of gharial and associated threats in Narayani river is still
lacking though Narayani river plays significant role to increase the gharial population in Nepal.
In this regard, the aim of this study is to identify and analyze the habitat characteristics of
gharial in the Narayani River of Nepal which will aid in future conservation planning efforts
for gharial and their habitats. In addition, this study will aware the responsible stakeholders for
minimizing prevalent threats and provide better decision-making information for the
management authorities in the study area.

Problem statement

The gharial is one of the key predators of the Narayani river system which helps in maintaining
the health of the river and biotic integrity. The species is protected by Nepal Government under
the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973. The minimum population of gharial
crocodile in the Narayani river is estimated to be 103 (Khadka, 2022). The one percent survival
rate of gharials in wild pose further challenge in sustaining abundance of gharials and its prey
(DNPWC, 2018).This remaining fragmented population is under continuous pressure from
different human activities like industrial pollution, impact of dams, overfishing (Rajbhandari
and Acharya, 2015). On the other hand, the construction of Gandak barrage along the
international border with India has done rapid loss of habitats threatening the gharial
population.Realizing the declining trend of population and loss of habitat of gharial, the
government has formulated the Gharial Conservation Action Plan (DNPWC, 2012) with the
aim to conserve this species. The Gharial Breeding Center (GBC) in CNP has been established
by the GoN in 1978 with the financial and technical support from the Smithsonian Institute and
the Frankfurt Zoological Society (Ballouard et al., 2010).
From 1981 to 2022, GBC have successfully released 1692 captive gharial individuals into
various rivers of Nepal. However, the total existing population of gharial in Nepal is limited to
198 individuals, distributed in the Narayani (84), Rapti (82), Babai (31) and Karnali (1) rivers
of Nepal (DNPWC, 2018). Although large number of gharials have been reintroduced annually
into various river system in Nepal, including the Narayani river, the overall population has not
satisfactorily increased due to widespread human disturbances including poisoning, industrial
pollution, overfishing, collecting gharial eggs (Rajbhandari and Acharya, 2013). No
information on their recovery in these rivers exists and the reasons for their low survival rate
remain still unknown. The restocking programs lacked monitoring of released animals
including their survival and dispersal and hence the efficacy of breeding center could not be
scientifically evaluated. The government of Nepal monitors the population of gharial crocodiles
in several river systems, but conservation efforts to conserve them are insufficient. As a result,
the isolated population is declining, and as a result may become extinct in the river.
Although some study on the status and population of gharials have been done in Narayani river
; the information on habitat use, effects of habitat attributes (river bank orientation, river width,
mid river depth, river bank substrate type, topography, river bank slope, invasive species, water
and air temperature, invasive species, availability of basking site) and human disturbances
(impact of dams, barrages, canals, infrastructure construction, tourism activities, pollution,
fishing, sand-mining, riverbed cultivation, livestock grazing, grass cutting, walking paths,
wood collection, human crossings, human habitation and others (bathing, washing, defecation,
temple fairs) on gharial distribution and habitat use are either scant or completely lacking, and
thus acts as obstruction to effectively understand the conservation needs of the species which
could contribute in designing the effective conservation strategies to maintain long term
conservation of gharials in the river basins of Nepal.

Objectives

General Objectives

The general objective of the study is to determine the habitat and anthropogenic covariates
influencing the gharial distribution and habitat use in Narayani river of Chitwan National Park,
Nepal.

Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the research are as follows:
a) To assess the extent of potential gharial habitat within the study area.
b) To determine how different habitat attributes influence the gharial distribution and habitat
use.
c) To determine how different anthropogenic activities influence the gharial distribution and
habitat use.
d) To assess the attitude, perception and knowledge of the local people regarding gharials and
their conservation threats.

Hypothesis
Ho: Habitat covariates donot influence the distribution and habitat use of gharial in Narayani
river of Chitwan National Park.
H1: Habitat covariates influence the distribution and habitat use of gharial in Narayani river of
Chitwan National Park.
Ho': Anthropogenic covariates donot influence the distribution and habitat use of gharial in
Narayani river of Chitwan National Park.
H1': Anthropogenic covariates influence the distribution and habitat use of gharial in Narayani
river of Chitwan National Park.

Research questions

a) What is the extent of potential gharial habitat within the study area?
b) How do different habitat attributes influence gharial distribution and habitat use?
c) How do different anthropogenic activities influence gharial distribution and habitat use?
Literature review

The Gharial is the most endangered large animal in the Indian subcontinent and one of the
most endangered of all crocodilians (GCA, 2008). It is currently estimated that there are below
200 breeding adult of G. gangeticus in the wild. The wild population of gharial in Nepal is
estimated to be 198 in different river systems (DNPWC, 2018). Exponential expansion of
human populations around the habitat of gharial has large impact on them as they prefer less
disturbed areas (Singh and Rao, 2017). Major threats for gharial conservation in Nepal are
identified as habitat destruction and decreased fish populations due to overfishing, poisoning,
river pollution from industrial waste, grazing of riverbanks by livestock, frequent changes in
river courses due to extreme flood events, sand mining, use of gill nets, cleaning and washing
activities (Poudyal et al., 2018; Bhatta, 2009). Chemical fertilizers, harmful insecticides and
pesticides from agricultural field runoff during monsoon, toxic wastes and by-products
generated from industries, hotels and households are not only polluting river but also
threatening the gharial population.
The construction of dam and barrages and annual monsoon flash flood has modified suitable
gharial habitats by preventing upstream-downstream dispersal and spawning migration
(Thapaliya et al., 2009). The Rapti and Narayani Rivers are the major fresh water ecosystems
of Nepal that meet and flow towards India at the international boundary where the Tribeni dam
has created a large area of stagnant water. This stretch from Malebagar to Tribeni allows
gharials to pass to India easily but obstructs their movement returning to Nepal, especially
during annual monsoon flash floods (Rajbhandari and Acharya, 2013). Besides, scant
awareness and skills in gharial conservation among the fishermen have hampered the
conservation of gharials in the Narayani River (Rajbhandari and Acharya, 2015).
The population census conducted in Narayani river showed the gathering of gharials, specially
in two sections of the river, Rapti confluence-Khoria Muhan and Velaungi in the downstream
section. The presence of main channel, braided channels with sandy bars and patches of sandy
islands within the main channels reflects the availability of sites for basking and food resources.
These habitat features in Narayani and Rapti river confluences where the riverine habitat is
characterized by main channel with braided channels, large areas of sand bars in between these
channels, moderate to deep water and regular monitoring of habitats have tended the gharials
to select these areas during the winter season (Rajbhandari and Acharya, 2013).The presence
or absence of escape cover (deep water) near basking sites also determine the habitat selection
since it allows individuals to escape into water for security whenever they feel threatened by
human presence. The size of the individuals also influence the water depth they prefer due to
the availability of various sized prey they feed.
A 75 km study conducted in the Chambal River suggested that undisturbed basking locations
through sand dunes at junctions of rivers with deep water and availability of fish prey was
preffered by gharial population (Nair, 2010). The availability of undisturbed basking sites
along with deep water segments, occurred as a main variable explaining gharial occurrence in
Chambal River while human activities seemed to negatively influence the use of areas by
gharials (Nair, 2010). In 2009, in three separate surveys of the Chambal River in the National
Chambal Sanctuary of India found a positive relationship between gharial numbers and sandy
habitat attribute with less frequent human disturbance. Similar results associating the higher
preference of gharial with less frequent human disturbance have been documented by Malla et
al. (2012) and Nair (2010). Small gharials used rocky banks while the larger gharials used
sandy banks (Maskey,1989). The riverbed substrate type, thermoregulatory conditions and
prey availability are all major factors influencing habitat selection in gharial (Maskey et al.,
1995). Similarly, according to Hussain (2009), basking site selection and water depth
preference of various size classes of gharial in the National Chambal Sanctuary of India, 62%
of gharials were basking on sand. Also, juveniles preferred 1- 4 m of water depth and adults
and sub-adults prefer deeper water.
Likewise in Nepal, study of Rajbhandari and Acharya (2013) on population and habitat of
gharial in the Narayani River observed more than 80% of individuals basking on sandy
riverbanks where the water depth was 1.2 - 4.5 m. Further, Poudyal et al. (2018) recognized
the Rapti River (Kasara Bridge-Golaghat) as one of the most suitable habitats for gharial due
to substantial availability of fish stocks, lower anthropogenic disturbances and undisturbed
natural sandbanks. According to (Neupane et al., 2020), most of the gharial individuals were
observed on the south (left) riverbank with the larger number of observed gharials in river
widths of 51 -100 m at a mid-river depth of 1-2m on sandy riverbanks. Pollution and natural
habitat modification were ranked as the most severe threats for gharial population.
 Selection of the study site

Literature review
Problem identification
Preparation of research objectives

Consultation Data Collection Consultation

with advisors with
herpetologists

Primary Data collection Secondary Data collection

Reconnaissance survey Review of relevant research
reports, journals, Gharial
Household survey Breeding Centre monitoring
Direct field observation reports, Books, DNPWC
records and others.
Boat survey

Data Analysis
Qualitative Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Analysis
Tools used: Ms Excel, SPSS, Arc GIS

Result, Conclusion and

Discussion

Report writing
and submission

Fig. Conceptual Framework

Limitations

a.The study is conducted taking only one section of the Narayani river from (Gideni to
Amaltari) which results maynot represent for whole Narayani river.
b. The study is done on the post winter season which result maynot represent the gharial habitat
use for other seasons.

Research methods

Study area

The study will be conducted in two parts of the Narayani river in Chitwan National Park (270
34' to 270 68' N and 830 87' to 840 74' E), from Gideni to Amaltari and Gajipur to Amaltari.
Chitwan National Park is renowned for the conservation of world’s most endangered species
in their natural habitat such as one horned rhinoceros, tiger, gaur, gangetic dolphin, otter and
gharial (CNP Management Plan, 2013- 2017). The Park occupies an area of 952.6 km^2 in the
Rapti Valley of the Siwalik physiographic region, while the buffer zone (270 28' N to 270 70'
N and 830 83' E to 840 77' E) extends 729.37 km^2 area. The Narayani River (also called the
Gandaki) is a snow fed river, formed by the confluence of Kaligandaki and Trisuli rivers. The
river is about 338 km in length, with average flow ranges between 1,000 to 1,700 cum/s but
the maximum flow range from 10 to 700, 000 cum/s during the monsoon season (Panday,1987;
Maskey, 1989). From a gorge in the Mahabharat Range, the Narayani river flows southwest
for 30 kilometers to the Rapti confluence, then west for another 25 kilometers along the base
of the Someswar Hills before turning south through a very narrow gorge in the Siwaliks
between the Dauney and Someswar Hills to reach the Nepal-India border (Laurie, 1978). The
bed of the Narayani River is very broad consisting of a large number of channels and islands
with a width of up to 4 kilometers. The floodplain varies with the altitude, ranging from 150
meters to 250 meters. The Chitwan climate is subtropical with a summer monsoon and a
relatively dry winter. The average annual rainfall is about 250 cm, with the most occurring
between June and September. The post-monsoon season between November and January is
cool with the daily average temperature reaching 24◦ C during the day and droppings to about
7◦C at night.
 Fig 1: Map of Study Area
Sampling
Two long river stretch of Narayani river covering 50 km from Gideni to Amaltari and Gajipur
to Amaltari segments within the Chitwan National Park will be choosen as the Intensive Study
Area (ISA) because of accessible sites and greater presence of gharials in those areas. The start
and end point of each segment will be marked with a GPS location. Within the selected river
segment designated for the detail habitat survey, the required numbers of Data Recording
Points (DRPs) will be generated along the river segment using the following formula through
ArcGIS tool (ESRI, 2017).
N = Lriver / Pdistance
Where. N = number of survey points
Lriver =Length of survey segment
Pdistance = Plot to plot distance N = 50,000/500 = 100
Therefore, the total sample points = 200 DRPs (both banks of the river). Other than the banks,
sandbars (islands) in the river will also be taken as sample points. The spacing of 500m is fixed
by assuming that the habitat characteristics would differ at the intervals of 500m and there
would be less possibility of basking individuals to move across the adjacent stations during the
time of survey along the downward direction of the river (Neupane et al., 2020). Habitat was
assessed on both sides of the river at predetermined sampling points spaced at 500m intervals,
sandbars (islands) as well as at each gharial sighting location. Each sampling point will be
considered to be a single habitat unit as suggested by Hussain (2009).
Data collection methods

Preliminary field visits will be conducted in the month of February, 2022 to collect general
information about the study site, to familiarize with the number of gharial present in the
selected area and to plan for the major field survey. At first, Gideni to Amaltari and Gajipur to
Amalatari river segment of Narayani river will be digitized using Google Earth Pro 7.3.48
version. The selected segment will be extracted covering the length of about 50 km and the
area will be surveyed from Gideni to Amaltari and Gajipur to Amaltari on March, 2020
covering late winter season. The gharial population of the selected river segment will be
monitored by using a wooden boat. The survey will be conducted with a team of four members
including two experienced local field guides and two forestry professionals using traditional
wooden dugout canoes. The relative abundance and population structure of the gharial will be
obtained from systematic searches, based on direct observation of basking or surfacing
gharials. During the survey, it will be assumed that most gharial individuals could be observed
when basking with a few either submerged or swimming in the river. Active searches will be
conducted during the time between 10:00 to 3:00 hrs on consecutive sunny days under the
assumption that most gharials would be basking during that time (Adhikari et al., 2019). Late
winter and early spring, i.e. January–March, are the optimal months for crocodile surveys. The
ambient temperature is such that crocodiles spend more time basking, visibility is better, their
courtship actions make it easier to spot them, and breeding animals tend to bask in groups
during this time (Choudhury & Rao, 1982; Rodgers, 1991). On each day, the survey and field
measurements covering the length of about 5- 8 km along the downstream of the river segment
will be performed. Since the major focus of the research is the assessment of habitat
characteristics and threats so the issues of upstream and downstream movements of individuals
during the survey will not be emphasized. This method is widely used for monitoring gharial
populations in different rivers (Neupane et al., 2020, Poudyal et al., 2018; Acharya et al., 2017;
Saikia et al., 2010; Khadka et al., 2008). The location of each sampling point will be recorded
using handheld GPS devices and photographs will be taken of observed individuals along with
their local habitats. Experienced field guides on the surveys, aided with binoculars and a range
finder, will help to determine the sex and estimated length of observed adults. Pre-defined
habitat characteristics of gharial such as (river bank orientation, river width, mid-river depth,
river bank substrate type, topography, river bank slope, water, air temperature, invasive
species, availability of basking,) anthropogenic activities (Impact of dams, barrages, canals,
infrastructure construction, tourist activities, pollution, nearby fishing, sand mining, riverbed
cultivation, livestock grazing, grass cutting, walking paths, wood collection, human crossings,
human habitation and others( bathing, washing, defecation, temple fairs) will be recorded for
each sample point (Nair, 2010). The data will also be collected in the gharial sighted location
and the area with anthropogenic threats than the sample points. At each sighting location, the
number of gharial individuals, sex and functional age groups will be recorded. Sex
identification of gharial will be performed by observing the distinct morphological feature
called “Ghara” present in male adult individual (Poudyal et al., 2018). Size-classes of basking
gharial was determined by calibrating with natural objects or landscape features, using
photographs including pre-measured reference markers (Nair, 2010 ; Nair et al., 2012), and
with the use of range finder. Sighted basking crocodilians will be grouped into three size
classes: SC1 ‐ juvenile (< 1.5 m), SC2- sub adult (1.5m to 3m) and SC3- adult (>3 m).
Observations covers riverbank substrate types such as sand, clay, gravel, grass and forest. Time
of day, individual’s activity and weather conditions will also be recorded. Mid-river depths will
be measured using a long graduated bamboo pole. For every recorded crocodile, the wariness
distance will be measured using a handheld Garmin etrex 10. To measure the impact caused by
the survey boat the distance between the boat and the location of the crocodile, just before
retreating into the water owing to the presence of the boat, will be measured using the range
finder. In addition, a focus group discussion will be organized which will included
representatives from NTNC, CNP, GBC, local political leaders, boaters, hotel owners, buffer
zone community forest managers and representatives from the indigenous communities with
the goal to identify the major threats to gharial conservation and rank under relative threat
ranking method.

Data analysis methods

Ecological covariates
Simple calculations and interpretations of data will be performed using MS Excel 2010 and a
habitat distribution map will created using ArcGIS tool (ESRI, 2017). A binomial distribution
model with logit link function will be used to analyze the factors affecting the presence of
gharial within the study area equation (1).

The logit link function is:

Log(y/1-y)
The dependent variable will be the presence or absence of gharial at fixed sampling points or
observed locations and the independent variables are predetermined habitat characteristics and
such as observed anthropogenic threats. Modeling analysis will be performed using the
statistical package: “R x 64 3.0.1" (R Core Team, 2018). The first step is to enter all habitat
variables into an initial model and then consider over-dispersion of the data. Examination of
the model "Summary table" will indicate if the data is overdispersed or not. A backward
selection method (step-wise removal of non-significant variables) will be performed and a final
model will be developed consisting of predictor variables.
Anthropogenic covariates
Disturbance regimes will be classified as impact of dams, barrages, canals and other
infrastructures construction, tourism activities, pollution, sand mining, riverbed cultivation,
grass cutting, livestock grazing, human habitation, illegal fishing, wood collection, walking
paths / human crossings and other (bathing, washing, defecation, temple fairs). Each
disturbance factor was recorded as ‘1’ if present and ‘0’ otherwise, for the 200 DRPs at 500 m
intervals in each river segment and will be summed to generate a synthetic disturbance index
for each segment. Encounter rates (ERs) for all size classes of gharials will be calculated for
each segment. The presence or absence of sandbars (islands) in the segment will also be
recorded. Major threats identified from the field, survey and workshop will be ranked following
a system of relative threat ranking following Kafle et al. (2020) and Margoluis and Salafsky
(1998, 2001), considering criteria like scope, severity and urgency. Based on the classification
scale for each criterion (WWF, 2007), all risks will be assigned a relative ranking from high
(6) to low (1), and then grouped into four groups (very high, high, medium and low)
Expected outputs

 The habitat distribution map of gharial in the study area will be assessed.
 Habitat attributes affecting gharial distribution and habitat use in Narayani river will be
identified.
 The major threats for gharial conservation in the Narayani river will be identified.
 People’s attitude, perception and knowledge towards gharial conservation in the study
area will be known.
 The research will seek the attention of the Chitwan National Park Management
Committee to conduct effective gharial habitat management intervention in Narayani
river.
 The research will also act as a baseline for future researchers to carry out in depth
habitat and threat studies in Narayani river.

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Appendix A: Time schedule (Implementation plan)
The study will be executed as per the following schedule:
S.N. Activities Months
February March April May June
1. Literature review

2. Reconnaissance Survey

3. Field Visit and Data

Collection

4. Data Analysis and

interpretation

5. Draft report preparation

6. Final report preparation

and submission

Appendix B: Research matrix

S.N. Objectives Methodology Expected Outputs
1. To assess the extent of Preliminary survey Extent of potential gharial
potential gharial habitat Boat Survey habitat within the study area
within the study area. Direct Field Observation will be obtained.
Key informant interview
Literature review
2. To determine how different Boat Survey Different habitat attributes
habitat attributes determine Key informant interview which influence the gharial
gharial distribution and Direct field Observation distribution and habitat use
habitat use within potential Literature review will be determined.
gharial habitat.

3. To determine how different Boat Survey Different anthropogenic

anthropogenic activities Key informant interview activities which influence
influence gharial Direct field Observation the gharial distribution and
distribution and habitat site Literature review habitat use will be
use within potential gharial determined.
habitat.

4. To assess the attitude, Household Attitude, perception and

perception and knowledge Questionnaire Survey knowledge of local people
of the local people regarding gharials and their
regarding gharials and their conservation threats will be
conservation threats . determined.
Appendix C: List of data collection instruments

S.N. Data Collection Instruments Purpose in the research

1. GPS To find the exact location of the gharial sighting.
2. Binocular To observe and identify the gharials in the field.
3. DSLR Camera To capture the quality photos of gharials in the field.
4. Range finder To measure the river width of the gharial spotted
sight.
5. Graduated bamboo pole To measure the depth of the water in the gharial
spotted site.
6. Alcohol thermometer To measure the temperature of the water.
7. Soil texture test To identify the substrate preference by the gharials.
8. Clinometer To measure the basking site slope.

Appendix D: Budget

S.N. Particulars Quantity Rate Total Justification

(Units)
1. Food and Accomodation 7 days 1500 per 21,000 It covers the cost of fooding
(2 persons) person per day and lodging expenses of
researcher and field
assistant.
2. Travel expenses 2 trips 1000 per trip 4,000 Travel from Chitwan
(2 person) per person National Park, Kasara to
Gideni.

3. Field expenses 7 days 3000 per boat 21,000 It includes boating

per day expenses.
4. Communication LS 2,000 Includes cost for the
interaction with different
stakeholders during the
research period.

5. Stationary/Report 4 reports 1500 6,000 Cost including B/W and

preparation colour printing and binding.

6. Miscellaneous LS 6,000 Other uncertain expenses

during the research period.

Total 60,000