On June 17, 2025, India celebrated 50 years of its Crocodile Conservation Project, launched in 1975 with UNDP–FAO support. The project has played a vital role in reviving crocodile populations across the country, especially gharials, saltwater crocodiles, and muggers, through breeding, rehabilitation, and habitat protection.

Key Points:

• The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1975 and began with saltwater crocodile conservation in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park.
• India now supports all three native crocodilian species — saltwater crocodile, mugger, and gharial — across multiple breeding and conservation centers nationwide.
• Odisha is the only state with all three crocodile species and held week-long events to commemorate the 50-year milestone.
• Uttar Pradesh also celebrated the success of gharial conservation at the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre, with populations rising from 200 to over 2,000.
• While the project is considered a major conservation success, emerging threats like climate change and human–crocodile conflict now require greater focus on coexistence and habitat resilience.

World Crocodile Day 2025

World Crocodile Day is celebrated every year on June 17. This day is especially celebrated for the protection, conservation and awareness of crocodiles and other reptiles like them such as crocodiles and alligators.Its purpose is to spread global consciousness against the declining number of crocodiles, poaching and destruction of their habitat.