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19th December 2024 (15 Topics)

Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica)

Context

Today marks a significant milestone in wildlife conservation with the first-ever tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in Assam. This initiative, which is part of the Project Dolphin, was conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Key Points:

  • This is the first tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin, not just in India, but for the species globally.
  • The tagging of a healthy male river dolphin took place in Assam under strict veterinary care.
  • Purpose of Tagging: The primary goal of this tagging exercise is to gather data on the dolphin’s seasonal movements, migratory patterns, and habitat utilization, especially in fragmented or disturbed river systems.
  • Significance of the Project:
    • The tagging will help fill the knowledge gaps about the species, which is essential for its long-term conservation.
    • As apex predators in their ecosystem, Ganges River Dolphins play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the river systems they inhabit. Ensuring their survival supports the entire ecosystem, which includes the communities that depend on these waters.

Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica)

  • The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind.
  • They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds or by echolocation.
  • 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.
  • Gangetic dolphins are the National aquatic animal of India.
  • National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has accorded the 5th October as National Dolphin Day in 2022.
  • Conservation Status: The Ganges river dolphin is in;
  • Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972,
  • Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
  • Appendix 1 of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and
  • It is as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List.
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