Recently, 11 Asian and South American countries made a significant breakthrough by signing a landmark deal in Bogota, Colombia. This agreement aims at saving the world’s remaining six species of river dolphins from extinction. It is indeed a beacon of hope as it addresses the declining numbers of river dolphins, which have plunged by an alarming 73% since the 80s.
Understanding the Global Declaration for River Dolphins
The prime objective of the Global Declaration for River Dolphins is to arrest the dropping numbers of all river dolphin species. It focuses on lending strength to the most vulnerable populations through coordinated efforts. The declaration suggests measures such as the elimination of gillnets, curbing pollution, extending research initiatives, and setting up protected areas to shield the surviving river dolphin species. Countries including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela have embraced this declaration.
Foundational Pillars of the Declaration
Eight foundational pillars form the bedrock of the Global Declaration for River Dolphins. These include creating a network of protected areas, bettering the management of dolphin sites, broadening research and surveillance activities, involving local communities and Indigenous Peoples, discarding unsustainable fishing practices, enhancing water quality and quantity, promoting World River Dolphin Day on 24th October for awareness, and boosting resource allocation and partnerships.
An Overview of River Dolphins
River dolphins are a unique class of freshwater cetaceans that occupy different river systems throughout Asia and South America. The survivors amongst river dolphins include species such as Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Tucuxi, and the Yangtze finless porpoise. We lost the Chinese river dolphin to presumed extinction in 2007.
Status of River Dolphins
The IUCN Red list categorizes Yangtze finless porpoise as Critically Endangered, while Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, and Tucuxi are deemed as Endangered. The Yangtze finless porpoise is the world’s only freshwater porpoise but it is classified together with other freshwater cetaceans under the collective term ‘river dolphins’. The largest river dolphin is the Amazon river dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin or boto.
Threats Faced by River Dolphins
River dolphins face several threats such as unsustainable fishing methods, dam construction, industrial pollution, agriculture, mining, and habitat loss. Also, climate change complications have led to heartbreaking incidents like the recent deaths of more than 150 river dolphins in Lake Tefe in the Amazon due to drought conditions.
Successful Conservation Efforts
Despite the challenges, conservation efforts in populated river basins like the Indus and Yangtze have seen success. For instance, joint stakeholder action helped double the population of the Indus river dolphin in Pakistan. Similarly, protective measures led to a 23% rise in numbers of the Yangtze finless porpoises. Worth mentioning is the World Wildlife Fund’s electronic pinger project that saved 80 dolphins in Indonesia’s Mahakam river from gill net entanglement.
Trivia – National Aquatic Animal of India
One of the common questions asked in the UPSC Civil Services Examination was regarding the national aquatic animal of India. The answer is Gangetic dolphin.