Description

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Context:

A team of wildlife conservationists tagged the almost-blind Ganges river dolphin for the first time.

**About the Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica)**

Dolphins are one of the oldest creatures in the worldalong with some species of turtles, crocodiles and sharks.
The Ganges River Dolphin, India's national aquatic animal since 2009, is unique in its ecology.
It is also designated as the state aquatic animal of Assam.
It is commonly known as "Susu" because of the sound it makes when it emerges to breathe.
The Gangetic River dolphin is known as the "Gangetic tiger" for the role it plays as an apex predator and because it is an ecosystem indicator species.

Habitat and Adaptation

It can only survive in freshwater environments. As a mammal, it can only breathe underwater and on the surface for 5-30 seconds at a time.
They are nearly blind and rely on echolocation for their biological needs, making ultrasonic sounds when hunting that bounce off prey and create a mental image for navigation and feeding.

Distribution

About 90% of the population lives in India. Historically distributed in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli river systems.

Physical features

Features include a long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large fins.
It has a pipe-like slit on the top of its head that acts as a nostril.
Females are larger than males and give birth to one young every two to three years with a gestation period of about 10 months.

Protection status

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Endangered
Nature Conservation Act, 1972: Schedule I.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Annex I.
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Annex I.

Conservation efforts

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar: India's only dolphin sanctuary.
Project Dolphin: Modeled after Project Tiger, focusing on special conservation measures for Gangetic River dolphins as they are an umbrella species.
- - To protect sea and river dolphins as well as related cetaceans.
  - It is funded by the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
National Aquatic Animal: It was declared the National Aquatic Animal on October 5, 2009, which is celebrated as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.

Types of Rivers Dolphins

Species	Distribution	Key Features	Conservation Status
Indus River Dolphin	Indus River in Pakistan	Similar to the Ganges River Dolphin, but smaller; adapted to the murky waters of rivers	Threatened
Amazon River Dolphin (Boto)	Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America	Pink or gray color; long, flexible neck; can breathe through vent or nostrils	Vulnerable
Irrawaddy Dolphin	The Irrawaddy River and coastal waters of Southeast Asia. Also found in Chilika Lake, Odisha	Stocky body; short, blunt beak; gray color	Endangered
Tucuxi	Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America	Small, gray dolphin with a prominent beak; active and playful	Data Deficient
Baiji (Yangtze River Dolphin)	Yangtze River in China	Unique white-colored dolphin with a long slender beak	Extinct

ALSO READ ABOUT

Project Dolphin

National Dolphin Day

Effect Of Noise Pollution On Dolphins

Source:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Ganges River dolphin:

It is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
It is classified as an endangered species due to habitat loss and water pollution.
The Ganges River dolphin is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in India.

How many of the above-given statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Ganges River dolphin is primarily found in the freshwater rivers of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Statement 2 is correct: The Ganges River dolphin is listed as an endangered species due to threats from habitat loss, water pollution, and entanglement in fishing gear.

Statement 3 is correct: The Ganges River dolphin is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, providing it the highest level of protection in India.