"The request is being considered. We are in favour of marsh crocodiles, as it will help efforts of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) preserve the reptile there," said PR Sinha, member-secretary of Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

India is considering a consignment of eight male and 32 female marsh crocodiles and 50 fertile eggs pending approval of the Indian environment ministry, said official sources here yesterday.

Once approved, the consignment will be sent from the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, a captive-breeding centre of marsh crocodiles.

Sinha said Bangladesh should undertake a sustained follow-up action to conserve the species, adding that India has expertise in preserving the species and is willing to extend the same to Bangladesh.

The chief conservator of forest of Bangladesh in a letter in December last year asked the Indian environment ministry to save the species from extinction.

The letter pointed out that the number of the marsh crocodiles has come down to three due to the lack of a successful breeding programme in the last 15 years, said the sources.

India also faced an alarming fall in the number of marsh crocodiles in 1970s but now has more than 1,000 of the kind.

The threat of extinction to marsh crocodiles in Bangladesh was first brought to light by Vice-chairman of IUCN's Crocodile Specialist Group Romulus Whitaker, who visited the country a few months ago.

The skin of the species fetches fabulous price in international markets and poaching is cited as a key reason for the sharp decline in their number.

CZA Scientific Officer Bipul Chakrabarty said crocodiles help prevent the rivers from pollution and ecosystem in Bangladesh might be disturbed if an expeditious re-introduction programme of the species is not met.

Marsh crocodiles are found in the wetland of India and Bangladesh, especially in rivers, freshwater lakes and marshy lands.

Chakrabarty said under the IUCN norms, India is bound to help Bangladesh in conservation of the species. India also received the same from Britain, he added.