BATHINDA, Sept. 1 -- Flooding in the Satluj and Beas has raised alarm among wildlife officials over the safety of the endangered gharial population in the ecologically sensitive Harike Wetland. Authorities fear that some gharials may have been swept into neighboring Pakistan due to the rising waters.

In 2023, too, flash floods in the wetland led to the displacement of several gharials downstream in the neighbouring country.

Harike Wetland, located at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers, is Punjab's second-largest wetland and a vital biodiversity hotspot. It supports a range of endangered species, including gharials, Indus river dolphins, smooth-coated otters, and numerous migratory birds.

Dharminder Sharma, head of the departm...