Ganges River Dolphin officially dclared as India's National Aquatic Animal

[Samraj Sahay]

Ganges River Dolphin was notified as National Aquatic Animal on 18th May, 2010 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. With a population of around 2,000, they are recognized as ‘highly endangered’ in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).

In India river water pollution and siltation, accidental entanglement in fishing nets, and poaching for their oil are the major threats to these River Dolphin. In addition, alterations to the rivers in the form of barrages and dams are separating populations.

River Dolphins occupy the highest trophic level or the apex of the food chain in the river system, thus their well being and increase in population would indicate the success of river cleaning programmes initiated by Government of India. The increase in number of Dolphins in the river system is a signal of its good health and biodiversity.

This step will certainly increase the awareness about the species among people and support the Government’s efforts to protect this vulnerable species.

Each one of us should take the responsibility of spreading the awareness as this would not only help in saving yet another highly endangered species but also protect two major rivers of India - Ganges and Brahmaputra, lifeline of millions of Indians and the natural habitat of river Dolphins in India.