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Saturday, August 1, 2026
Prize Distribution Ceremony for the winners of the Essay Writing Competition on "Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency
Prime Minister to Virtually Address Youth under ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Adult Gharial rescued from Indira Gandhi Canal in Jaisalmer, released in Punjab's Beas River CR
Adult Gharial rescued from Indira Gandhi Canal in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and brought back for rehabilitating and release in Punjab's Beas River CR
An adult male/female Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), measuring over 12 feet in length, has been successfully rescued from the Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGNP) in Rajasthan after nearly five months of coordinated monitoring across multiple districts. The animal has been safely transported to Chhatbir Zoo, Punjab, where it will undergo health assessment, rehabilitation and acclimatisation before its planned release into the Beas River Conservation Reserve.
The rescue operation is the culmination of sustained coordination between the Forest Departments of Rajasthan and Punjab, wildlife experts, and field teams that continuously tracked the animal's movements through the extensive canal network.
Background
Punjab has emerged as an important landscape for the conservation of the Critically Endangered Gharial. 94 juvenile Gharial were successfully reintroduced into the Beas River Conservation Reserve through a collaborative conservation programme led by the Punjab Forest Department with technical support from WWF-India and other partner institutions. Since the reintroduction, released individuals have been regularly monitored through scientific surveys and field observations, with encouraging evidence of survival, dispersal and adaptation to the Beas Harike Sutlej River ecosystem.
The rehabilitation and release of rescued Gharials to suitable habitats is an important component of strengthening the recovering population in the Beas River while contributing to the long-term conservation of the species in north-western India.
Rescue Timeline
The first information regarding the presence of the Gharial in IGNP was received when Chief Wildlife Warden, Rajasthan contacted Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab on 14 March 2026, following a brief sighting of the animal on 13 March in the Indira Gandhi Canal within Ganganagar district and requested that a rescue team may be sent from Punjab as Rajasthan has very little experience in the rescue and rehabilitation of gharials. Initial assessments and review of photographs and videos indicated that the adult Gharial was moving along an approximately 25 km stretch of the canal, both upstream and downstream. Although rescue efforts were considered, the operation could not be initiated due to the high volume and velocity of water being released through the canal for Rabi irrigation, coupled with the continuous movement of the animal.
On 5 May 2026, the Gharial was sighted again near the border of Ganganagar and Bikaner districts in the main IGNP canal. Water conditions were comparatively favourable, and all necessary permissions for the rescue operation were secured. However, just before the Punjab Forest Department rescue team commenced its rescue operation, the animal was reported to have moved further downstream. In the absence of confirmed sightings over the following days by the Rajasthan Forest Department, the rescue operation was temporarily suspended until the animal could be relocated.
The Gharial was sighted once again towards the end of June 2026 in the IGNP Stage-II canal, further downstream from its previous location. Despite confirmation of its presence, rescue could not be attempted as the canal continued to carry a strong current and a high volume of water, making capture unsafe for both the animal and the rescue team.
On 27 July 2026, the animal was finally located in the Mohangarh Minor in Jaisalmer district, where water levels and flow conditions were suitable the adult Gharial, measuring more than 12 feet in length was successfully rescued.
Following the successful rescue, the adult Gharial was temporarily housed at Rajasthan Forest Department Facility in Mohangarh, Rajasthan, where it underwent initial rehabilitation, veterinary examination and health assessment. After being certified fit for transport and following established safety protocols of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and IUCN guidelines for crocodilian capture, handling and transportation, the animal was safely transferred to Chhatbir Zoo, Punjab, for further rehabilitation, acclimatisation and comprehensive health screening.
Following assessment and approval by wildlife authorities, the animal is proposed to be released into the Beas River Conservation Reserve, further strengthening the recovering Gharial population in Punjab.
Conservation Significance
This successful rescue demonstrates the importance of sustained inter-state collaboration among the Forest Departments, continuous field surveillance by the field teams, guidance by the subject experts and rapid coordination among wildlife managers of Rajasthan and Punjab. Large river reptiles such as Gharials frequently move through interconnected river and canal systems, making coordinated conservation efforts across state boundaries essential for their long-term survival.
The proposed release into the Beas River Conservation Reserve represents another significant milestone in the ongoing recovery of one of India's most endangered freshwater reptiles and reinforces the commitment of the Punjab Forest Department and its conservation partners (WWF-India) towards securing viable populations of Gharials in the north-western region of the country.
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Government Polytechnic for Women Secures Grade A Accreditation from QCI, Ranks 6th Nationally
Saturday, July 25, 2026
उपायुक्त की जिलावासियों से अपील, समाधान शिविर में आकर करवाएं समस्याओं कासमाधान
MP Manish Tewari inaugurates open air gym at leisure Valley under MPLAD Fund
MC Chief Engineer inspects Japanese Garden, directs improvement works
Friday, July 17, 2026
प्रधानमंत्री मोदी के नेतृत्व में चंडीगढ़ बना विकसित भारत का मॉडल, व्यापार जगत को मिलेगा नया संबल: हरीश गर्ग
Thursday, July 16, 2026
पीएम मोदी के चंडीगढ़ दौरे से पहले नागरिक समस्याओं पर चर्चा तेज; स्थायी समाधान की मांग
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Chandigarh Red Cross Organises Blood Donation Camp at U.T. Secretariat
Chandigarh Launches Drive to Formalize 30,000 MSMEs Under RAMP Programme
Saturday, June 13, 2026
India’s Global Standing and Security Strengthened Under PM Modi’s Leadership, CM
PGIMER Chandigarh Leads Complex Spine Trauma Care for Acclaimed Cinematographer George Richmond Following Himachal Paragliding Accident
Friday, June 12, 2026
MAI BHAGO AFPI CADET DIKSHA SHARMA SELECTED FOR PRE-COMMISSION TRAINING AT INDIAN NAVAL ACADEMY
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
MC Chandigarh sensitizes bulk waste generators on new Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026
Thursday, May 21, 2026
33rd International Public Health Management Development Program Inaugurated at PGIMER, Chandigarh
MCC cracks down on encroachments across city; 64 challans issued in major enforcement drives
MCC launches special drive to remove Non-Biodegradable Waste from Dadumajra dumping sit
Joint Commissioner, Panchkula Municipal Corporation Mrs. Simarjit Kaur, conducts surprise inspection of Sectors 9, 15, and 19*
Registration for participation in the e-auction of new registration series “CH01DE”,
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Chief Secretary Reviews Public Transport Services and Road Safety Measures in Chandigarh
Chief Secretary Reviews Public Transport Services and Road Safety Measures in Chandigarh
Saturday, April 18, 2026
नारी शक्ति का अपमान करने वालों को महिलाएं देंगी करारा जवाब : CAIT चंडीगढ़
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Home-cum-Health Secretary Reviews Readiness of Newly Renovated AYUSH Integrated hospital at Sector-34 & Sector-11 Dispensaries
Monday, April 6, 2026
AAP Slams BJP and Congress Over Decades-Long Chandigarh Housing Board Deadlock
Thursday, April 2, 2026
पंचकूला में डिजिटल क्रॉप सर्वे तेज, उपायुक्त के नेतृत्व में कार्य को मिली रफ्तार
New Chief Engineer takes swift action: Fast-track waste clearance ordered at Daddumajra on 1st day of joining
MCC intensifies encroachment crackdown: 56 challans issued, market corridors cleared
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Best Research and Publication Award Ceremony held by Department of Chemistry, Panjab University
Best Research and Publication Award Ceremony held by Department of Chemistry, Panjab University
Chandigarh, March 27, 2026:
On behalf of Prem Lata and Professor D. V. S. Jain Research Foundation, Department of Chemistry, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh organised the 9th Best Research Award Ceremony. The Research Foundation came into existence in the year 2015 with a Rs. 50 lakh endowment fund donated by Prof. Jain’s family.
Prof. Gurjaspreet Singh, Department of Chemistry, PU, and Prof. Navneet Kaur, Department of Chemistry, PU, were awarded the Professor D. V. S. Jain Research Award and Smt. Prem Lata Jain Research Award, which included a citation and award amounts of Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 15,000, respectively.
The Best Publication Awards for the year 2023, for publication of outstanding research articles with an impact factor of more than 5.0, were presented to various faculty members of different departments. The Best Publication Awards included a citation and an award amount of Rs. 5,000 for each awardee. Certificates of appreciation were also given to eighteen faculty members for publishing high-impact papers in the year 2023.
PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig presided over the function. In her presidential address, Prof. Vig congratulated the awardees and exhorted other faculty members and young researchers to carry out meaningful research, not only for wider scientific reach but also for societal impact. She expressed gratitude and appreciation towards the generous contribution of the Jain family. Prof. Vig said that such endowment funds really support and accelerate the university's research activities in multifaceted ways.
This foundation has been created based on the endowment fund donated by Professor D. V. S. Jain. The main objective of this foundation is to promote and nurture scientific research in Panjab University. The foundation has initiated scientific programmes such as Best Researcher Awards, Best Publication Awards, Bright-Begin Research Grant, Conceptual Consolidation in Innovative Areas Lecture Series, fellowships for research scholars, and a book fund.
3rd Rastogi–Dash Clinical Case Conference Celebrates Legacy of Excellence in Endocrinology
PGIMER Shines Nationally, Secures 2nd Rank in Kayakalp Awards 2025–26
आकाश में तिरंगे की छटा, राज्यपाल ने प्रेरणादायक एयर शो का किया अवलोकन
Tricolour Streaks Across the Sky as Governor Witnesses Inspiring Air Show
पंजाब की माननीय लेडी गवर्नर श्रीमती अनीता कटारिया का जीआरआईआईडी, चंडीगढ़ का दौरा
Prize Distribution Ceremony for the winners of the Essay Writing Competition on "Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency
Chandigarh, July 31, 2026: The Energy Management Cell (EMC)/SDA, Engineering Department, U.T. Chandigarh, today organized the Prize Distribu...
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योग दिवस के उपलक्ष्य पर यवनिका पार्क में वॉकथान का आयोजन पंचकूला 15 जून। अंतराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस के उपलक्ष्य में, राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान,...
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फिरनी और मुख्य सड़क पर नहीं रहने चाहिए कब्जे- मंत्री विपुल गोयल जिला कष्ट निवारण समिति की बैठक में मंत्री ने सुनी 15 शिकायतें पंचकूला, 24 जु...
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*कृषि विभाग द्वारा गवर्नमेंट काॅलेज एम.एस.सी. के विद्यार्थियों को दिया गया प्रशिक्षण* पंचकूला, 15 जुलाई- उपायुक्त मोनिका गुप्ता के मार्गद...