Ganges river dolphin

Ganges river dolphin

Part of: Prelims and GS III – Conservation

Context The Jal Shakti Ministry has released a guide for the safe rescue and release of stranded Ganges river dolphins. 

Key takeaways 

• The document has been prepared by the Turtle Survival Alliance and the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department (EFCCD) of the Uttar Pradesh Government.
• The guide has been drawn from years of experience of rescuing 25 Ganges river dolphins stranded in irrigation canals.
• Best practices on crowd control, dolphin capture from canals and handling, transfer, transport and release are part of the guide.

About Ganges Dolphins

• The Ganges river dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India
• It is Found throughout the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
• It (Platanista gangetica gangetica) is a global priority and is also an indicator of healthy aquatic systems
• Ghaghra river is a prime habitat where most of the rescued dolphins were released in the past few years.
• IUCN status: Endangered 
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972): Schedule I 
• CITES: Appendix I