Ganges River Dolphin, a national aquatic animal has been tagged for the first time in Assam, marking a historic achievement for wildlife conservation of the freshwater species in the state.
The tagging was part of a collaborative project between the Union Ministry of Environment and the National CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority), with support from the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The project was executed in partnership with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak, a wildlife NGO based in Assam.
Bhupender Yadav, the Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change shared the information on his official X handle and stated, "Happy to share the news of the first-ever tagging of Ganges River Dolphin in Assam—a historic milestone for the species and India!"
"This MoEFCC and National CAMPA-funded project, led by the Wildlife Institute of India (@wii_india) in collaboration with Assam Forest Dept and Aaranyak, will deepen our understanding of conserving our National Aquatic Animal," he further stated.
The Ganges River Dolphin, once widely distributed across the major river systems of the Indian subcontinent, has seen its population decline significantly in recent years.
These tagging efforts have proven crucial in understanding the movement, behavior, and habitat preferences of these vulnerable species, aiding in their protection and management. “This data will be crucial for analysing the movement patterns of dolphins in response to changes in water flow within this carefully regulated river system. It will also offer insights into their habitat selection and behavioral preferences which is crucial for its conservation in the face of mounting environmental pressures ,” explained Syed Ainul Hussain, a WII scientist and an expert in aquatic wildlife.
In January 2022, experts from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in collaboration with the Sindh Wildlife Department, successfully tagged three dolphins in Pakistan with satellite transmitters. This marked the first time such technology was applied to any river dolphin species in Asia.
Satellite tagging of river dolphins was first pioneered in South America, where approximately 50 Amazon river dolphins have been successfully tagged. This initiative has provided essential data for the conservation of these dolphins and their habitats. Additionally, a Yangtze finless porpoise, the only species of freshwater porpoise, was tagged in China, marking a significant contribution to the study of freshwater species.
