Government Announces Project Dolphin for Conservation Efforts

The Prime Minister of India recently announced the government’s intentions to launch a new initiative, Project Dolphin, in his Independence Day Speech on 15th August 2020. The project has been designed with the purpose of conserving both river and marine dolphins.

Introduction to Project Dolphin

Project Dolphin is modeled upon Project Tiger, an earlier conservation scheme which successfully helped enhance the tiger population. The project received in-principle approval in December 2019, during the inaugural meeting of the National Ganga Council (NGC), with the Prime Minister presiding over it. The implementation of the project lies with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Gangetic Dolphin Conservation

The Gangetic Dolphin, recognized as a national aquatic animal and also an indicator species for the river Ganga, requires a special conservation program. It is vital because being at the top of the food chain, preserving the species and its habitat will secure the conservation of aquatic lives of the river. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has been working on some initiatives for saving dolphins.

Global Experience

The Rhine Action Plan in 1987 by the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR), representing Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands, successfully conserved the salmon fish, another indicator species.

Gangetic Dolphin: An Overview

Scientifically known as Platanista gangetica, Gangetic Dolphins are typically blind and have a unique method of catching prey – they emit an ultrasonic sound that reaches their prey. They are predominantly found in the Indian subcontinent, especially in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems and tributaries of the Ganga.

They face several threats such as dams which obstruct migration, breeding cycles and habitat of fish and other prey, pollution, excessive silting and sand mining especially in Assam and lower course of the Ganga. The census suggests that their population in India could range between 2,500 to 3,000.

Status of Conservation

Gangetic Dolphins enjoy protection under multiple national and international regulations such as the First Schedule of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, listed as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

Conservation Efforts

The Indian Government included the Gangetic Dolphins in the First Schedule of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 post the launch of Ganga Action Plan in 1985. This move provided them with the highest degree of protection against hunting and enhanced conservation facilities such as wildlife sanctuaries. For example, Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary was established in Bihar in line with this Act.

Moreover, the Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin 2010-2020 identifies threats to Gangetic Dolphins and addresses the impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on Dolphin populations. In 2009, during the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority, which is now replaced by the National Ganga Council, the Gangetic river dolphin was declared as the national aquatic animal. The National Mission for Clean Ganga commemorates 5th October as the National Ganga River Dolphin Day.