National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1978, under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and biogeographical province 4.8.4 (Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest). Its area is 320 sq.km and location is divided between three states (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan). The Chambal is a perennial river bordered by many steep ravines. Approximately 400km of the river is within the reserve. Altitude ranges from 200-500m. Shrubs growing in the ravines alongside the riverbank is main vegetation in this region.

Specially gazetted under the crocodile conservation project. Gharial Gavialis gangeticus, crocodile and a variety of fish are found within the area. The gharial is the subject of a restocking programme. The government had made some research has been instituted at the Crocodile Breeding Centre at Kukrail, Lucknow in the U.P. The main source interruption is fishing by the villagers by means of nets.