The sanctuary spread across the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh largely remains unprotected and the report has flagged inter-state coordination.

In 2011 the Union Environment Ministry had constituted the National Tri-State Chambal Sanctuary Management and Coordination Committee for conservation of Ghana! (NTRIS-CAS MACC). The report said the implementation of the coordination committee was not seen on the ground.

"It has been noted that regulatory authorities, including the Forest, Mining, Police, and Revenue Departments, have often failed to act in a coordinated and effective manner, thereby enabling illegal operators to exploit jurisdictional gaps, particularly along inter-state boundaries.

The absence of a robust inter-state enforcement mechanism has significantly weakened conservation efforts within the sanctuary and has allowed illegal mining networks to operate with relative impunity," CEC said.

Illegal sand mining, unregulated fishing, infrastructure development along the Chambal river corridor, and disturbances to nesting sites of endangered species have also been reported by the CEC.

"The National Chambal Sanctuary is a habitat of exceptional ecological significance. The river's sandbanks constitute crucial basking, nesting and egg-laying habitats for several endangered and critically endangered species, including the gharial, the red-crowned roofed turtle and the Indian skimmer, while the Ganges river dolphin, India's national aquatic animal, is also found in these waters. It has also been reported that the continuing destruction of such sandbanks is forcing gharials to move towards nearby rivers such as the Kuno and Parbati in search of safer nesting habitats," the report said.

The sanctuary harbours almost 90 per cent of the world population of gharial.

While Madhya Pradesh has not granted mining lease within 1 km of the sanctuary, any extraction activity being carried out within this area is stated to be illegal.

In Rajasthan 158 illegal sand mining cases were reported since 2023 and 144 vehicles seized and Rs 88.967 lakh was slapped. In Uttar Pradesh, no mechanised mining is permitted, however, CEC said on certain occasions, local persons attempt to extract sand using camels or tractors.

Concerns were also raised on the seriousness of the states as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan proceeded to de-notify certain parts of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary(NCWS) without obtaining the prior permission of the Supreme Court.

The Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) for the respective portions of the NCWS falling in the States of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have been notified by the Central Government. However, the ESZ for the portion of the sanctuary falling within the State of Rajasthan has not yet been notified, resulting in the absence of a regulatory buffer around that part of the Protected Area.