In a boost to the conservation of Gangetic dolphins in the country, Environment Ministry along with WWF-India will conduct the first-ever census of the species, after monsoon in the States along the course of Ganges and its major tributaries. The dolphins, which enjoy the status of National Aquatic Animal, are on the verge of extinction.
The exercise will be carried out under the aegis of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under Environment Ministry. The experts are giving shape to the key strategies and their implementation as envisaged under Ganga Dolphin Action Plan (GDAP). One of the most important thrusts is the conduction of annual survey of Ganges dolphins, post-monsoon and its census report will be published every year. The major objective of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is to ensure a clean and healthy river system. Dolphins are the indicator species for monitoring the status of pollution in the Ganges.
Stressing on expediting the efforts for conservation of Gangetic dolphins, sources in NMCG, informed that the first-ever integrated and coordinated survey with standard protocol is being planned in the States on the banks of Ganges and its major tributaries, which are habitats of Gangtic dolphins and would be surveyed this year post-monsoon.
The State Forest Departments of the Ganges River Basin States will establish a decentralised interpretation centre on dolphin conservation at critical locations to spread awareness about the species. A dolphin communication and outreach plan will be developed alongside targeting specific education and outreach modules. Further, a call centre system for ‘alert and rescue’ will be set up by the respective State forest departments and fishermen will be trained to immediately release dolphins caught accidentally. local riverine communities would also be engaged in various conservation activities of the dolphins.
Gangetic dolphin is categorised as endangered not only in the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, but is also placed under red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN).