UPSC Articles
Gangetic River Dolphin
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Policies and Interventions
In news
- A video of a group of men and boys in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district beating to death a Gangetic river dolphin surfaced on social media recently.
- An endangered species, the Gangetic River Dolphin is recognised as the National Aquatic Animal of India.
Important value additions
Gangetic Dolphin
- Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica
- These are generally blind.
- They catch their prey by emitting an ultrasonic sound which reaches the prey.
- These are also called Susu.
- It is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems and in the Ganga’s tributaries.
- Threats: Construction of dams, Pollution, excessive silting and sand mining.
- It has been recognized by the Indian Government as its National Aquatic Animal
- It is the official animal of the Guwahati, Assam.
- IUCN Status: Endangered
Do you know?
- They are included in Appendix I (most endangered) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- They are also included in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
- The National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates 5th October as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.
Related articles:
- Project Dolphin announced: Click here
- Project Lion and Project Dolphin: Click here
