A man recently died after being attacked by a crocodile in the Vishwamitri River at Talsat village on the outskirts of Vadodara, Gujarat.

About Vishwamitri River

The Vishwamitri River is a small, non-perennial river located in Gujarat. It has an important ecological association with the mugger crocodile and has historically played a significant role in the development of Vadodara.

Course of the River

The Vishwamitri River originates from the western and southern slopes of the Pavagadh Hills in eastern Gujarat.

From its source, the river flows westward through Vadodara, Gujarat's third-largest city. After passing through Vadodara, it meets its tributaries, the Dhadar and Jambuva, before ultimately draining into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat.

The river has a total length of approximately 200 km and flows between the Mahi and Narmada rivers.

Ecological Characteristics

The Vishwamitri is a highly meandering and sinuous river with a distinctive ecosystem containing numerous ravines along its course.

These ravines provide habitat to several species, including porcupines, common Indian civets, jungle cats, cobras, pythons, checkered keelbacks, and Bengal monitors.

Mugger Crocodile Habitat

The Vishwamitri River is particularly significant as a habitat of the Indian crocodile or mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), a protected and vulnerable species.

According to a 2025 census, 442 mugger crocodiles were recorded within a 21-kilometre stretch of the river flowing through Vadodara.

Historical Significance

The river has historically been central to the development of Vadodara. Human settlements along its banks have been traced back to around 1000 B.C.

The river system also includes the Sayaji Sarovar on the Vishwamitri River near Ajwa and the Dev Dam on the Dhadhar Branch.

Recently, 216 rescued Indian Star Tortoises (Geochelone elegans) were successfully rehabilitated in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) after being rescued from Mumbai and Thane.

About Indian Star Tortoise

The Indian Star Tortoise is a medium-sized terrestrial tortoise. It derives its name from the distinctive star-like patterns on its shell. These patterns also serve as camouflage, as they break up the outline of the shell and help the tortoise blend into its surroundings.

Habitat

The species primarily inhabits dry areas and scrub forests.

Distribution

The Indian Star Tortoise is mainly found in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in western India and southeastern India, including Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is also found in Sri Lanka.

Physical Features

The Indian Star Tortoise can grow up to around 10 inches in length. Females are considerably larger than males, showing sexual dimorphism in body size.

Its shell is characterized by prominent star-like patterns, which provide camouflage in its natural surroundings.

Behaviour

Indian Star Tortoises are generally crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, particularly during dry and hot weather.

They are generally solitary animals and do not hibernate. However, during periods of extreme heat, dryness or cold, they may remain inactive.

Life Span

The Indian Star Tortoise can have a relatively long lifespan of around 35 to 80 years in the wild.

Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the Indian Star Tortoise is classified as Vulnerable.

Why in News?

Recently, Assam’s Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary recorded the Smew (Mergellus albellus), a rare migratory waterbird, for the first time.

About Smew

The Smew is a medium-sized duck belonging to the family Anatidae. It was formally described in 1758 by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus.

Its scientific name is Mergellus albellus.

Habitat and Distribution

The Smew breeds in the northern taiga of Europe and Asia. During winter, it migrates to sheltered coasts and inland lakes, including regions around the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Great Britain, Caspian Sea, East China, Korea and Japan.

The species is an occasional visitor to the Indian Subcontinent.

It inhabits a variety of aquatic environments, including freshwater lakes, reservoirs, flooded woods, ice-free rivers, sheltered bays, estuaries, lagoons and tidal creeks.

Physical Features

The Smew is characterized by a distinctive narrow bill with tooth-like edges and a hooked tip, which is adapted for catching fish.

The male is predominantly white, with a black mask and black back, while the female is grey with a reddish-brown head and white cheek. During flight, its black-and-white wings are clearly visible.

Feeding and Behaviour

The Smew primarily forages by diving from the water surface. It can also swim underwater while pursuing prey, particularly fish.

Conservation Status

The Smew is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

Location and Ecological Setting

The Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the southern part of the Brahmaputra River in Nagaon District of Assam. It forms an integral part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori ecosystem and is a notified buffer of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.

The sanctuary is part of the Brahmaputra Valley and is surrounded by human-dominated areas on all sides except the north.

Vegetation

The vegetation of Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary can broadly be classified into alluvial grassland, alluvial forest, moist deciduous forest and tropical semi-evergreen forest.

Fauna

The sanctuary is home to the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, elephants, Royal Bengal Tigers and Asiatic water buffaloes. It also supports more than 225 species of birds.

Important birds recorded in the sanctuary include the Spot-billed Pelican, Little and Large Cormorants, Egrets, Open-billed Stork, Brahminy Kite and Pond Heron.

Why in News?

Recently, researchers warned that climate change is destabilising the forest ecosystems of the Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) is located in the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats. It encompasses parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.

It was established in 1986 and was the first biosphere reserve in India. It is also India’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

Protected Areas within the Reserve

The important protected areas associated with the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve include Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley.

Vegetation

The reserve supports a wide range of vegetation types because of its varied altitude and climatic conditions. These include tropical evergreen forests, montane sholas and grasslands, semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and thorn forests.

Tribal Population

Several indigenous tribal communities are native to the reserve. These include the Todas, Kotas, Irullas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Adiyans, Edanadan Chettis, Cholanaickens, Allar and Malayan, among others.

Flora

The flora of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve includes species belonging to genera such as Adenoon, Calacanthus, Baeolepis, Frerea, Jarodina, Wagatea and Poeciloneuron.

Fauna

The reserve is particularly important for species such as the Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed Macaque. It also supports the largest South Indian populations of elephant, tiger, gaur, sambar and chital.

Ecological Significance

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve forms an important part of the Western Ghats ecosystem and supports diverse forest types, wildlife and tribal communities. Its ecological stability is therefore significant for the conservation of biodiversity in southern India.