CHITWAN, March 12 -- At least seven gharials in the Rapti River of Chitwan National Park (CNP) area have been found dead in this current fiscal year. Some of them were found entangled in fishing nets, which could have potentially killed them.

Along with the seven dead gharials, CNP chief conservation officer Bed Kumar Dhakal said they have also rescued seven gharials from fishing nets.

"The gharials are trapped into the nets laid by people who fish illegally. These nets are killing the endangered reptiles," he added.

Dhakal was referring to big and strong nets, known locally as Tiyari. Once trapped, it is almost impossible for these gharials to free themselves from the nets. They then die of injuries or hunger.

It is illegal to fish u...