Context:
A recent scientific publication titled “Rescuing Ganges river dolphins from irrigation canals in Uttar Pradesh, 2013-2020” has elucidated the comprehensive endeavors focused on the rescue and relocation of Gangetic river dolphins from precarious situations within the irrigation canals of the Ganga-Ghagra basin.
Relevance:
Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Species in news, Conservation of Ecology and Environment)
Dimensions of the Article:
- Ganges River Dolphins
- Threats to Gangetic River dolphin
- Steps Taken to conserve and protect dolphins
Ganges River Dolphins
- The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) was officially discovered in the 1800s and these Ganges river dolphins once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. (But the species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges.)
- The Ganges river dolphin was recognised as the National Aquatic Animal in 2009, by the Government of India.
- The Ganges river dolphin can only survive in freshwater and is essentially blind.
- They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.
- The Indus and Ganges River dolphins are both classified as ‘Endangered’ species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- The Ganges dolphin is a Schedule I animal under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and has been included in Annexure – I (most endangered) of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- The Ganges dolphin is also listed under Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) (migratory species that need conservation and management or would significantly benefit from international co-operation).
Threats to Gangetic River dolphin
- Pollution: It faces a number of threats such as dumping of single-use plastics in water bodies, industrial pollution, and fishing.
- Restrictive Flow of Water: The increase in the number of barrages and dams is also affecting their growth as such structures impede the flow of water.
- Poaching: Dolphins are also poached for their flesh, fat, and oil, which is used as a prey to catch fish, as an ointment and as a supposed aphrodisiac.
- Shipping & Dredging: It is also called a blind dolphin because it doesn’t have an eye lens and uses echolocation to navigate and hunt.
Steps Taken to conserve and protect dolphins
- Project Dolphin: The Prime Minister announced the government’s plan to launch a Project Dolphin in his Independence Day Speech 2020. It will be on the lines of Project Tiger, which has helped increase the tiger population.
- Dolphin Sanctuary: Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary has been established in Bihar.
- Conservation Plan: The Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin 2010-2020, which “identified threats to Gangetic Dolphins and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on Dolphins populations”.
- National Ganga River Dolphin Day: The National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates 5th October as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.
-Source: The Hindu
