PROJECT DOLPHIN
1. Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government’s plan to launch a Project Dolphin. The proposed project is aimed at saving both river and marine dolphins.
2. About Project Dolphin
- The initiative got in-principle approval in 2019 at the first meeting of the National Ganga Council (NGC), headed by the Prime Minister.
- Project Dolphin is one of the activities planned under Arth Ganga, an ambitious inter-ministerial initiative of the government approved in 2019.
- Project Dolphin will be on the lines of Project Tiger, which has helped increase the tiger population.
- It is expected to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- A Special Conservation program needs to be taken up for Gangetic Dolphin which is a national aquatic animal and also indicator species for the river Ganga spread over several states.
- Indicator species, organisms-often a microorganism or a plant-that serves as a measure of the environmental conditions that exist in a given locale.
- As the Gangetic dolphin is at the top of the food chain, protecting the species and its habitat will ensure conservation of aquatic lives of the river.
- So far, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) , which implements the government’s flagship scheme Namami Gange, has been taking some initiatives for saving dolphins.
3. About Gangetic Dolphin
- The Gangetic river system is home to a vast variety of aquatic life, including the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica).
- The Gangetic dolphin is one of five species of river dolphin found around the world.
- It is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems.
- The Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin, 2010-2020, describes male dolphins as being about 2-2.2 metres long and females as a little longer at 2.4- 2.6 m.
- An adult dolphin could weigh between 70 kg and 90 kg.
- The breeding season of the Gangetic dolphin extends from January to June. They feed on several species of fishes, invertebrates etc.
4. Conservation Status:
- Indian Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972: Schedule I.
- International Union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) : Endangered.
- Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Appendix I (most endangered).
- Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix II (migratory species that need conservation and management or would significantly benefit from international co-operation).
5. Why is it important to save Dolphins?
The construction of dams and barrages, and increasing pollution have led to a decline in the population of aquatic animals in the rivers in general and of dolphins in particular.
Aquatic life is an indicator of the health of river ecosystems. As the Gangetic dolphin is at the top of the food chain, protecting the species and its habitat will ensure conservation of aquatic lives of the river.
Aquatic life is an indicator of the health of river ecosystems. As the Gangetic dolphin is at the top of the food chain, protecting the species and its habitat will ensure conservation of aquatic lives of the river.
| While no exact count is available, various estimates suggest that the Gangetic dolphin population in India could be about 2,500-3,000. However, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Babul Supriyo had told Lok Sabha last year that there were about 1,272 dolphins in Uttar Pradesh and 962 in Assam. |
6. Initiatives to save Gangetic Dolphin so far
- National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC): The NDRC is coming up on the 4,400 square metre plot of land on Patna University's premises to conserve the endangered Gangetic river dolphin.
- Dolphin Sanctuary: Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary has been established in Bihar.
- National Ganga River Dolphin Day: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)celebrates 5th October as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.
- Conservation Plan: The Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin 2010-2020, which “identified threats to Gangetic Dolphins and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on Dolphins populations”.
For Prelims
| For Prelims: National Ganga Council (NGC), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Project Dolphin, Project Tiger, Indian Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972, International Union for the conservation of nature (IUCN), Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC). |
Source: The Indian Express
