National Dolphin Research Centre: A Boost for the Conservation of Gangetic Dolphins
The Bihar government inaugurated the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC), the first of its kind in the country, at Patna University on March 4, 2024. The NDRC is a state-of-the-art facility that will conduct and support scientific research on the conservation and protection of the endangered Gangetic dolphins, which are India’s national aquatic animal.
What are Gangetic dolphins and why are they important?
Gangetic dolphins, also known as Ganges river dolphins or susu, are one of the four freshwater dolphin species in the world. They are found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. They are grey-brown in colour, have a long snout, and lack a dorsal fin. They are adapted to the murky and turbid waters of the rivers, and use echolocation to navigate and hunt for fish, crustaceans, and molluscs.
Gangetic dolphins are important for several reasons. First, they are an indicator species, which means they reflect the health and quality of the river ecosystem. Second, they are a flagship species, which means they attract public attention and support for the conservation of the river biodiversity. Third, they are a cultural and religious symbol, which means they are revered and respected by the local communities and the pilgrims.
What are the threats and challenges faced by Gangetic dolphins?
Gangetic dolphins are facing several threats and challenges that have reduced their population and distribution. According to the latest census conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India in 2020, there are only about 3,700 Gangetic dolphins left in India, out of which about 1,500 are found in Bihar. Some of the major threats and challenges are:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation: The construction of dams, barrages, and irrigation canals have altered the flow and quality of the rivers, and have isolated the dolphin populations into small and disconnected patches.
- Fishing and poaching: The accidental entanglement and drowning of dolphins in fishing nets, and the deliberate killing of dolphins for their meat, oil, and skin, have resulted in the mortality and injury of dolphins.
- Pollution and contamination: The discharge of domestic, industrial, and agricultural waste and effluents into the rivers have degraded the water quality and affected the health and survival of dolphins.
- Human-wildlife conflict: The increasing competition and interaction between dolphins and humans for the river resources, such as water, fish, and sand, have led to the harassment and disturbance of dolphins.
What are the initiatives and efforts taken for the conservation of Gangetic dolphins?
The conservation of Gangetic dolphins has been given a high priority by the government and the civil society. Some of the initiatives and efforts taken are:
- Legal and policy framework: Gangetic dolphins are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits their hunting, killing, and trade. They are also listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and are covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The government has also declared the Gangetic dolphin as the national aquatic animal in 2009, and has launched the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in 2011, which aims to restore and rejuvenate the Ganga river and its biodiversity.
- Research and monitoring: The government has established the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) in Patna, which will conduct and support scientific research on the ecology, behaviour, genetics, and threats of Gangetic dolphins, and will provide technical guidance and advice for their conservation and management. The government has also conducted regular surveys and censuses of Gangetic dolphins, and has developed a national action plan and a conservation strategy for them.
- Community participation and awareness: The government has involved the local communities, especially the fishermen, in the conservation of Gangetic dolphins, and has provided them with alternative livelihoods, incentives, and training. The government has also organised various campaigns and programs, such as the Dolphin Day, the Dolphin Safari, and the Dolphin Mitra, to raise awareness and appreciation of Gangetic dolphins among the public, the media, and the stakeholders.
- Transboundary cooperation and collaboration: The government has engaged with the neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh and Nepal, and the international organisations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to cooperate and collaborate on the conservation of Gangetic dolphins, and to share the information, data, and best practices.
What are the prospects and potential of the National Dolphin Research Centre?
The National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) is a landmark project that will boost the conservation of Gangetic dolphins in India and the region. The NDRC will have several prospects and potential, such as:
- It will provide a platform and a facility for the scientists and researchers to study and understand the Gangetic dolphins and their habitat, and to generate and disseminate the scientific knowledge and evidence for their conservation and management.
- It will provide training and capacity building for the conservation practitioners and professionals, such as the forest officials, the wildlife managers, the veterinarians, and the NGOs, and will enhance their skills and competencies for the conservation and protection of Gangetic dolphins.
- It will provide education and awareness for the students and the general public, and will develop and disseminate various educational and awareness materials and programs on Gangetic dolphins, and will engage with the youth, the schools, and the communities.
- It will provide a model and a showcase for the conservation of freshwater dolphins and other aquatic species, and will inspire and motivate other states and countries to establish similar centres and initiatives for the conservation of river biodiversity.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) by the Bihar government is a commendable and praiseworthy step that will enhance the conservation and protection of the endangered Gangetic dolphins, which are India’s national aquatic animal. The NDRC will conduct and support scientific research on Gangetic dolphins, and will provide training, education, and awareness on them. The NDRC will also collaborate and cooperate with the national and international partners and stakeholders on Gangetic dolphin conservation. The NDRC is a boost for the conservation of Gangetic dolphins, and a step towards the vision of a clean and healthy Ganga river.
UPSC Prelims MCQ
(B) They have a dorsal fin
(C) They use echolocation
(D) They are grey-brown in colour
Answer: (B) They have a dorsal fin
