Gharials of Chambal:
Snapshots from the River's Edge
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Each winter, the Chambal River comes alive with the deep calls of male gharials, their bulbous snouts echoing love songs across the mist. A female’s upward tilt is her rare and ancient ‘yes.’ Once reduced to fewer than 200 in the 1970s, gharials now cling to survival in their last refuge—the National Chambal Sanctuary.
Wildlife photographer Shivang Mehta takes us on an intimate journey, capturing moments of courtship, nesting, hatching, and the stark realities of predation. This is not just a story of survival, but a glimpse into the fragile balance of life along the Chambal’s storied banks.
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Champions of Chambal:
Boon of the Curse | Unholy Chambal
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Winding through ravines, the Chambal River is one of India’s most misunderstood waterways untamed, mysterious, and steeped in legend. Said to have sprung from sacrifice and cursed as unholy, its dark lore spared it from industry, preserving its purity.
Today, Chambal stands among India’s cleanest rivers, a sanctuary for over 400 species—a paradox of myth and wild beauty.
Watch the film to discover its untold story.
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The Otters of Chambal:
Tale of a Fish Heist
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Dive into the wild world of the Chambal, where smooth-coated otters steal the show with their wit, charm, and daring moves. In this Roundglass Sustain film by Shivang Mehta, watch these mischievous mammals—living in tight-knit rafts—plot, sneak, and outsmart rivals in a daring fish heist.
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Bear in Mind: Kota’s Wild Neighbour
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Have you heard about the elusive dwellers of Chambal — the wild sloth bears? Kota is one of the biggest cities along the river Chambal. For decades, it has been known as a hub for students chasing academic success. But in recent years, the city has found itself hosting an unexpected guest. As night falls, sloth bears quietly roam its streets, sometimes coming face to face with humans. Why is this typically shy and reclusive creature venturing into India’s largest educational city? Shivang Mehta’s concluding film in the Chambal habitat series, Bear in Mind, delves into the fascinating behaviour of sloth bears while offering practical insights into reducing the rising instances of human-bear conflict in the region.
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