Chambal River flowing through Vindhya and Aravalli mountain ranges. One of the rivers flowing from south to north direction, this river is mentioned in many texts of Vedic period. The 960 km long Chambal River originates from Singar Chouri hill, 15 km from Mhow.

Connecting the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, this river reaches Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh and joins the Yamuna River and then flows southeast and reaches Allahabad and meets the Ganges River. In this way the Chambal River is also one of the tributaries of the Ganges River.

Chambal River has got a gift from this confluence of rivers. Such a gift that no river of the state got. Crossing the borders of the two states, hundreds of dolphins have come from the Ganges River to the Chambal River. And now this river has become their abode.

Let us introduce you to this Chambal River adjacent to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. This Chambal River flows near the Pali Ghat village located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. It is the border of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. There is also a big bridge here which acts as a bridge between the borders of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

This part of Chambal River in Ranthambore comes under the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary. This area of Chambal River in Rajasthan was declared as Chambal Gharial Sanctuary on 7th December 1979. Gharials are found in large numbers in Chambal River located in Sawai Madhopur district. And now the dolphin that came from the Ganges River has also become a part of this National Chambal Sanctuary. 

Now the climate of Chambal, the life-giving river of Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh, is changing. The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary is protected for alligators. But now the family of the rare national aquatic animal Gangetic Dolphin is growing in this sanctuary. These freshwater dolphins are also known as platanista gangetica or gangetic dolphins.

Dolphins can survive only in clean and fresh water, the growth of the family indicates that the climate of the Chambal River is favorable for it. According to experts, the presence of dolphins is reliable evidence of the health of the river's ecosystem. But it is not so easy to see these shy mammal creatures who look like fish. The slightest sound alerts them and then perhaps their speed also increases. They quickly come to the surface of the water to breathe and return equally quickly.

Read Also: Best Zone for Tiger Sighting in Ranthambore National Park

In last year's lockdown, factories in Kota and surrounding areas were closed, which cleared the river. The Forest Department considers its achievement to be released only after the polluted water treatment of factories in Chambal.

In the annual survey of aquatic fauna in the month of February in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, the number of dolphins has been found to be 82. However, in the earlier years, there was a decrease in the population of dolphins. The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary was established in the country in the year 1978 to preserve the extinct gharials and was gazetted in Rajasthan on 7th December 1979. Along with alligators, other aquatic creatures are also getting protection here, including dolphins. 

Some special things about Ganges Dolphin

• Dolphin is called "Susu" or "Soos" in Hindi.
• Dolphins can survive only in deep, fresh and clean water.
• Dolphins are blind and hunt with ultrasonic sound.
• Dolphins thrill by leaping one to one and a half feet across the surface of the water.
• Male dolphins range in length from 170 cm to 200 cm.
• The dolphin was declared a national aquatic animal in the year 2009 and efforts are being made to conserve it.
• Hunting dolphins is a punishable offense under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Existential crisis due to pollution

The existence of the Ganges dolphin was also in danger due to the continuous pollution in the rivers, so in the year 2009, the Government of India recognized it as a national aquatic animal. It is called Gangetic as it is found in the clean fresh water of the Ganges. It is a very thrilling and fascinating rare creature due to its jumps and spins in the water.

Although the number of dolphins in Chambal has fluctuated in the last decade. The numbers continued to decline for 6 years. In the aquatic animal survey of February 2020, 68 dolphins were found. The number of dolphins has increased this year.

Apart from the Ganges, the Chambal River passing through Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh is also its natural habitat of Dolphin. Experts of Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun believe that maximum 125 dolphins can live in Chambal River.

Number of dolphins in Chambal in the last 9 years

2021 -  82
2020 -  68
2019 -  74
2018 -  74
2017 -  75
2016 -  78
2015 -  71
2014 -  66
2013 -  59
2012 -  56

Chambal River Safari is a great option in Ranthambore

Chambal River Safari is a great option for those who are traveling to Ranthambore. Through Chambal River Safari, they can see the aquatic creatures up close. Chambal River is located at Pali Ghat, about 50 km from Ranthambore. It is the border of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Although the main attraction of Ranthambore is Jungle Safari and Royal Bengal Tiger. Apart from this, there is also an ancient fort which is situated in the middle of Ranthambore National Park. This ancient fort is known as Ranthambore Fort.

The priority of tourists visiting Ranthambore is to see tigers and other wildlife through jungle safaris. But the number of vehicles for Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park is limited. Booking of Jungle Safari is done online. For Ranthambore jungle safari, only jeeps and canters registered with the forest department are allowed to go on safari. Private vehicles are not allowed in the park.

Read Also: Important information about Ranthambore Jungle Safari Booking Tips

Often people book tickets for Jungle Safari in Ranthambore online in advance as there are limited tickets for Ranthambore Safari. In such a situation, people who are not able to book their safari tickets online in advance, then they are not able to go to jungle safari. For such people, Chambal River Safari, 50 km from Ranthambore, is a great option to visit. Hence you are advised to book jungle safari tickets in Ranthambore online as early as possible.

How to book safari tickets online in Ranthambore?

To book safari tickets online in Ranthambore, first you should confirm your safari date and safari shift. If you have booked your Safari ticket on the wrong date by mistake, you will not get any refund for the same nor can you adjust your Safari to another date. That is why it is very important to take special care of it.

Read Also: Information about Ranthambore online safari booking system

You should also confirm your safari vehicle jeep or canter before booking safari online. We require government photo ID of all visitors for online safari booking in Ranthambore. It is also necessary to bring the same ID card with you, which you have given for booking the safari. The Forest Department charges the entire amount in advance for booking safari in Ranthambore. So you have to pay the full amount while booking the safari.