Correct Option (B)
The Chambal River is recognized as the primary natural habitat for gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in India. The National Chambal Sanctuary, encompassing a significant stretch of the Chambal River across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, was specifically established for the conservation of this critically endangered species. This sanctuary provides an undisturbed environment crucial for their breeding and survival.
Incorrect Options:
A) Bhitarkanika Mangroves: This region in Odisha is renowned for its saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) and is a significant wetland ecosystem, but it is not a primary habitat for gharials.
C) Pulicat Lake: Located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake is a brackish water lagoon. While it supports diverse avian fauna, it is not a habitat for gharials, which prefer freshwater riverine environments.
D) Deepor Beel: Situated in Assam, Deepor Beel is a freshwater lake and a Ramsar site, important for its wetland biodiversity and migratory birds. However, it is not known to host gharial populations.