IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Gangetic River Dolphin

9th January, 2021 Environment

Context: U.P. youth beat endangered Gangetic dolphin to death.

Ganges river dolphins

  • Once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
  • The species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges.
  • The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind.
  • They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see” an image in their mind.
  • An endangered species, the Gangetic River Dolphin is recognised as the National Aquatic Animal.
  • The Ganges river dolphin is important because it is a reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/up-youth-beat-endangered-gangetic-dolphin-to-death/article33528905.ece?homepage=true