Muta Crocodile Breeding Centre

Muta Crocodile Breeding Centre is a wildlife conservation facility located in Muta village, Ormanjhi block, about 23 km from Ranchi in Jharkhand. Established for the breeding and conservation of the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), it is one of the few dedicated crocodile breeding centres in eastern India. Set amid forested surroundings, the centre houses breeding ponds and enclosures where visitors can observe crocodiles of different age groups in a managed natural habitat.

Visitors can expect a small, forest-enclosed conservation centre with fenced breeding ponds and enclosures housing mugger crocodiles of various sizes and ages. The setting is quiet and natural, surrounded by sal forest near Getalsud reservoir. Visitors can observe crocodiles basking and swimming from designated viewing areas, learn about breeding and conservation efforts, and take short nature walks around the campus. It is primarily an educational and wildlife-viewing experience rather than a large zoo.

The centre was established in the late 1970s-1980s by the forest department of the then state of Bihar (now Jharkhand) for the conservation and captive breeding of the mugger crocodile, whose wild population had declined. It was developed as part of crocodile conservation initiatives in India to breed crocodiles in captivity and support population recovery, and continues to be managed by the Jharkhand Forest Department.