Updated: October 20, 2026 | 4:30 pm IST
Which Indian state has the most crocodiles? The question sounds straightforward, but the answer depends on the species being counted, the geographical area surveyed and the year of the assessment.
Odisha stands out for its large saltwater crocodile population, particularly in Bhitarkanika. However, India’s published crocodilian figures come from different surveys rather than a single, directly comparable statewise census.
Available Crocodilian Counts by State and Landscape
The following figures provide a useful overview. They are not a ranking: a river count, sanctuary estimate and statewide population assessment measure different things. State or landscape Reported number Species and survey period Coverage limitation Odisha 1,858 Saltwater crocodiles, January 2026 Bhitarkanika and nearby waters; excludes the state’s muggers and gharials Odisha Around 300 muggers and 16 gharials Figures reported in June 2025 Separate figures from Odisha’s rivers and Satkosia; not a combined 2026 census Gujarat 442 Muggers, February 2025 Surveyed Vishwamitri River stretch in Vadodara; not the entire state Gujarat 287 Muggers, January 2026 Charotar regional count; not the entire state West Bengal Estimated 220–242 Saltwater crocodiles, 2024–25 assessment Indian Sundarbans; not an all-species statewide total Uttar Pradesh 2,026 Gharials, 2025 reporting Reported for the Uttar Pradesh National Chambal Sanctuary assessment; not all crocodilians statewide Chambal landscape: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh 2,456 Gharials, 2024 census Sanctuary landscape figure; must not be assigned independently to all three states or added to overlapping counts
Comparable recent statewide totals were not established for the remaining states in the sources reviewed. An unavailable figure does not mean crocodiles are absent.
Is Odisha India’s Crocodile Leader?
The Jagran Josh article identifies Odisha as having the highest number of crocodiles. Its supporting figures, however, concern selected Odisha habitats and do not establish a nationwide comparison.
Odisha can confidently be described as a major crocodilian stronghold. Bhitarkanika’s 2026 count alone recorded 1,858 saltwater crocodiles, substantially more than the recent estimate for the Indian Sundarbans.
But describing Odisha as the state with the highest combined population of saltwater crocodiles, muggers and gharials would require stronger evidence. The substantial gharial populations recorded in the Chambal landscape make the distinction especially important.
Three Native Crocodilians, Three Different Stories
India supports three native crocodilian species: the saltwater crocodile, the mugger and the gharial.
The saltwater crocodile, also called the estuarine crocodile, is associated with coastal waterways, mangroves and estuaries. Bhitarkanika is an important habitat for this species.
The mugger, or marsh crocodile, inhabits freshwater environments including rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Gujarat’s Vishwamitri and Charotar surveys illustrate the importance of looking beyond coastal crocodile habitats.
The gharial is a distinctive river-dwelling crocodilian with a long, narrow snout. Its inclusion can substantially change population comparisons, particularly in the Chambal region.
Bhitarkanika: The Centrepiece of Odisha’s Saltwater Crocodile Recovery
In coastal Kendrapara district, Bhitarkanika’s mangroves, tidal creeks and muddy banks support a remarkable crocodile population.
The January 2026 census recorded 1,858 saltwater crocodiles, an increase of 32 over the 1,826 counted in 2025. Forest officials said enumerators surveyed rivers and creeks during daylight and at night from January 8 to 10.
The count included 531 hatchlings, 442 yearlings, 365 juveniles, 167 sub-adults and 353 adults. The total therefore represents several life stages, rather than 1,858 fully grown animals.
Why the Dates Matter
The Jagran Josh feature carries a 2026 headline but draws its principal Odisha figures from the Economic Survey 2023–24, referring to the 2022–23 census period. Its Bhitarkanika figure of 1,831 should therefore be read as historical data.
The newer January 2026 count provides a more current reference. Neither figure should be combined casually with counts from other years to produce an apparently precise statewide total.
Five Decades of Conservation—and Continuing Responsibilities
Odisha’s crocodile conservation programme began in 1975, with initiatives for saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, gharials in Satkosia and muggers in Similipal. Habitat protection and breeding efforts helped make crocodilians an important part of the state’s conservation story.
Today, protection must also address the safety of communities using nearby waterways. Maintained protective enclosures, warnings and effective responses to crocodile sightings near settlements are important alongside habitat conservation.
The fact worth remembering is precise: Bhitarkanika and nearby waters recorded 1,858 saltwater crocodiles in January 2026. Odisha’s importance is clear; an overall national ranking across all crocodilians remains unverified.
Sources: Jagran Josh; The Times of India; IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group; Madras Crocodile Bank Trust; reporting on Chambal population assessments.
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