Conservation Of The National Aquatic Animals of India
- As a measure to save the Ganges River Dolphin which was once on the verge of extinction. In 2009, in the National Ganga River Basin Authority’s (NGRBA) first meeting; the Gangetic River Dolphin was declared as the National Aquatic Animal of India. This was done to put emphasis on the species protection. The Ganges Dolphin is seen as a reflection of the health of the Ganga River.
- On the lines of Project Tiger, in 2021 Project Dolphin was launched to protect the dolphin species.
- Recently, in October 2023, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, declared Gangetic dolphin as Uttar Pradesh’s state aquatic animal.
- Vikramshila Sanctuary made in 1991, in Bihar Bhagalpur district is the only dolphin sanctuary in India.
- Another sanctuary proposed to be made in Uttar Pradesh for dolphins is the Hastinapur Sanctuary.
- The trade of the Ganges Dolphin is prohibited.
- In October 2019, WWF-India collaborated with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department & started the Annual Gangetic River Dolphin Survey. The Dolphin Conservation Programme was started by the World Wide Fund for Nature – WWF-India to conserve the Ganges river dolphins’ habitats. In India, the WWF-India has picked certain stretches like:
- Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora) in Uttar Pradesh (Proposed Ramsar Site)
- Chambal River (up to 10 km downstream of Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary) in Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh
- Ghagra & Gandak River, in Uttar Pradesh & Bihar
- Ganga River, from Varanasi to Patna in Uttar Pradesh & Bihar respectively
- Son & Kosi River in Bihar
- Brahmaputra River from Sadia (foothills of Arunachal Pradesh) up to the Dhubri (Bangladesh Border)
- Kulsi River a tributary of Brahmaputra
- 8. On 5th October, the National Ganga River Dolphin Day is celebrated by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
Conservation Status
The Gangetic Dolphin is one of the four freshwater dolphins in the world & is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List – Endangered Species
- Mentioned in the CITES – Appendix 1 – Most Endangered
- Included in the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 – Schedule I – “Highly endangered species”
- Hunting & trade of the Gangetic Dolphin is prohibited throughout India, except when it is a threat to human life.
- Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix II (migratory species that need conservation and management or would significantly benefit from international co-operation).
Check-out: World’s Most Endangered Animals: Top 10 List
National Aquatic Animal of India | Ganges River Dolphin
The National Aquatic Animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin. As per Indian Mythology, the Dolphin is considered the Vehicle of Goddess Ganga. It is found only in freshwater. Not only is it, one of the most intelligent species, but it is also at the Top of the Aquatic Food Chain. The Ganges River Dolphin is one of the National Symbols of India. They reside in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Meghna & Karnaphuli – Sangu river systems of Nepal, India & Bangladesh. As its name goes, the Ganges Dolphin is endemic to the River Ganga.
Table of Content
- What Is An Aquatic Animal?
- Ganges River Dolphin
- National Aquatic Animal Of India
- Facts About India’s National Aquatic Animal
- Features Of The National Aquatic Animal Of India
- Characteristics Of The Ganges River Dolphin
- Threats To The National Aquatic Animal Of India
- Conservation Of The National Aquatic Animals of India
- Role Of The National Aquatic Animal Of India
- Historical Significance