Ganga River Dolphin Day- My Ganga My Dolphin Campaign launched on the occasion.

My Ganga My Dolphin campaign was launched today on the occasion of Ganga River Dolphin Day. This campaign was launched by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the Wildlife Institute of India and the Forest Department.

My Ganga My Dolphin

The campaign has been lunched for sustainable tourism. It also links with the livelihood through Dolphin Conservation for ecotourism along the Ganga river. The campaign have been launched in the 250 km stretch of the river. The campaign will also conduct a census under the stretch.

Dolphin Safari

Dolphin-based ecotourism programme – Dolphin Safari was started at six sites in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Trained volunteers, being called as Ganga Praharis, will take the tourists on boat for the Dolphin safari.

Ganga River Dolphin Day

The Ganga River Dolphin Day is observed on October 5 every year since 2010. The day is celebrated because on October 5 Dolphins were declared as National Aquatic Animal.

Project Dolphin

Project Dolphin was announced in 2020 by the Prime Minister in his independent speech and was approved by National Ganga Council. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was launched with an aim to conserve and protect dolphins in the marine and riverine ecosystems. The 10-year project focuses on both sea and river dolphins.

Threats

Construction of dams are the biggest threats and disturbance to these animals as it hinders their migration.

How Dolphins are protected?

• The Gangetic Dolphins are protected under the First Schedule of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• They have been declared Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.
• They are categorized under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• They are Appendix II animal under the Conservation on Migratory Species.

Dolphin Count

As per the Dolphin Census, there are about 2,500 – 3,000 Gangetic Dolphins in India.

Dolphin Sanctuary

The Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary had been established in Bihar under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.