If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?

The correct answer is Chambal River.

To understand why, let's break this down step by step.

Step 1: What is a Gharial?
The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also called the Gavial or Fish-eating Crocodile, is one of the longest living crocodilians in the world. It is critically endangered and is recognized by its extremely long, narrow snout. The male gharial has a distinctive bulbous growth at the tip of its snout called a ghara (meaning "pot" in Hindi), which is where it gets its name.

Step 2: What kind of habitat does the Gharial require?
Gharials are highly specialized aquatic reptiles. Unlike mugger crocodiles, they are almost entirely aquatic and are perfectly adapted to life in large, deep, fast-flowing river systems. They require:

- Deep, clear, fast-flowing rivers with high sandy banks for nesting and basking.
- An abundance of fish, which forms almost their entire diet.
- Long stretches of undisturbed riverine habitat.

Step 3: Why is the Chambal River the correct answer?
The Chambal River, which flows through Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, is the primary stronghold and last refuge of the wild gharial population in India. The National Chambal Sanctuary was specifically established to protect the gharial and other river wildlife. The Chambal provides the exact conditions gharials need — deep pools, sandy beaches for nesting, and a relatively undisturbed ecosystem — making it the best and most reliable place to spot gharials in the wild.

Step 4: Why are the other options incorrect?

- Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha): This is a saltwater ecosystem — a mangrove delta famous for Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), not gharials. Gharials cannot survive in saline/mangrove environments.

- Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu): This is a brackish coastal lagoon, famous as a bird sanctuary (especially for flamingos). It is not a habitat for any crocodilian species, let alone gharials.

- Deepor Beel (Assam): This is a freshwater lake and a Ramsar Wetland Site, primarily known as a bird habitat. It does not support gharial populations.

Conclusion:
The Chambal River is unambiguously the best place in the world to see gharials in their natural habitat. It supports over 80% of the world's remaining wild gharial population, making it the undisputed answer to this question.