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Ganges river dolphin

2021 OCT 5

Preliminary   > Environment and Ecology   >   Species extinction & protection   >   Species in news

Why in news?

  • Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change released guidelines for enumeration of Dolphins in Ganges river.

About Ganges river dolphin:

  • The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in 1801. It is one of five species of river dolphin found around the world. Other four are Amazon, Indus, Irrawaddy and Tucuxi river dolphins.
  • 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 can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind.
  • They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see” an image in their mind.
  • They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.
  • Females are larger than males and give birth once every two to three years to only one calf.

Significance:

  • It is a reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem. As the Gangetic dolphin is at the top of the food chain, protecting the species and its habitat will ensure conservation of aquatic lives of the river
  • It was recognised as the National Aquatic Animal in 2009, by the Government of India.

Conservation Status:

  • Listed in Schedule 1 of Indian Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972.
  • Listed as Endangered in International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Appendix I (most endangered).
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix II (migratory species that need conservation and management or would significantly benefit from international co-operation).

Initiatives:

  • Project Dolphin:
    • It was launched in 2020. The Project will be on the lines of Project Tiger, which has helped increase the tiger population.
  • Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin 2010-2020
  • Dolphin Sanctuary:
    • Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary has been established in Bihar.
  • National Ganga River Dolphin Day:
    • The National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates 5th October as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to ‘Ganges river dolphin’, consider the following statements:

1. It can only live in freshwater

2. It is listed in Schedule 1 of Indian Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972.

3. Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary is located in Uttarakhand

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer