Recently, the Ministry of Jal Shakti in India expressed discontent pertaining to the slow progress of the approval process for Project Dolphin. This initiative aims to improve the conservation efforts for the Gangetic Dolphin, the national aquatic animal of India. The project received in-principle approval in 2019 during the first National Ganga Council (NGC) meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister.
Understanding Project Dolphin
Project Dolphin is an ambitious, inter-ministerial initiative launched under Arth Ganga in 2019. Modeled on the lines of Project Tiger, the initiative aims to increase the dolphin population. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is expected to implement this project with a special focus on the conservation of the Gangetic Dolphin, an indicator species for the River Ganga that spans across several states.
The Gangetic Dolphin, being at the apex of the food chain, serves as a measure of the environmental conditions in its locale. Conserving the species and its habitat would ensure protection for the aquatic lives of the river.
Key Facts About the Gangetic Dolphin
Known scientifically as Platanista gangetica gangetica, the Gangetic Dolphin was officially discovered in 1801. These dolphins inhabit the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
Gangetic Dolphins are virtually blind and rely on emitting ultrasonic sounds that bounce off fish and other prey, enabling them to visualize an image in their mind. Commonly referred to as ‘susu’, their global population is estimated at around 4,000, with nearly 80% of them found in the Indian subcontinent.
These dolphins are a reliable indicator of river ecosystem health. However, they face threats such as bycatch, pollution, and the construction of dams, which result in habitat degradation, less food availability, and increase susceptibility to inbreeding.
Gangetic Dolphin: Conservation Status and Steps Taken
The Gangetic Dolphin is categorized as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and enjoys protection under various national and international laws and conventions.
Efforts to conserve these creatures include the establishment of the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) within the campus of Patna University, aimed at conserving the endangered Gangetic river dolphin. The Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary has also been established in Bihar.
Every year, on October 5th, the National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates National Ganga River Dolphin Day. Other conservation efforts include the implementation of the Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin 2010-2020, which identifies threats to the dolphin population and the impacts of river traffic, irrigation canals, and prey-base depletion on dolphin populations.
Global Experiences and Practices for Conservation
Drawing from global experiences, the Rhine Action Plan (1987) from the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine helped conserve the salmon fish, another indicator species. The plan was a joint effort by Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
The Gangetic Dolphins are vital for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and initiatives like Project Dolphin play a critical role in ensuring their survival. While the approval process may be slow, the importance of such projects cannot be undermined considering the increasing threats these creatures face. Thus, building on global practices and learning from successful conservation efforts is essential for sustained growth of the species.
