Gangetic River Dolphins:Ecosystem Guardians in Peril: What You Should Know

Daily Current Affairs : 11-October-2023

In recent years, the plight of the Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista Gangetica) has come to the forefront of environmental concerns. This fascinating aquatic creature, one of the five river dolphins worldwide, faces numerous threats, demanding urgent conservation efforts to safeguard its existence and the health of the rivers it inhabits.

The Enigmatic Gangetic River Dolphin

• The Gangetic river dolphin is a unique species that thrives exclusively in freshwater environments.
• Its blindness doesn’t hinder its survival, as it relies on echolocation to navigate and hunt for fish in the counter current systems of major river channels.
• Emitting ultrasonic sound waves, it detects prey, showcasing its remarkable adaptation to its surroundings.

Distribution and Habitat

• The Gangetic river dolphin is predominantly found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins, spanning across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• This limited habitat accentuates the urgency to conserve their existing ecosystems, ensuring their survival.

Threats to the Gangetic River Dolphin

• Water Development Projects: Large-scale infrastructure projects disrupt their natural habitats, forcing them into precarious situations.
• Pollution: Contamination of rivers adversely affects their health, disrupting the food chain and habitat.
• Hunting and Accidental Catches: Poaching for dolphin oil, used in various industries, and accidental catches in fishing gear pose direct threats to their population.

Conservation Efforts and Initiatives

• Legal Protections: The Gangetic river dolphin enjoys legal protection under various statutes, including Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, CITES, and CMS.
• Conservation Status: Classified as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List, urgent actions are imperative to reverse their declining numbers.
• International Collaboration: The Asian River Dolphin Task Team (AR-TT) was established to address information gaps, research priorities, and formulate comprehensive strategies for the protection of Ganges and Indus river dolphins.
• Role as an Indicator Species: Gangetic river dolphins serve as reliable indicators of river ecosystem health, emphasizing the importance of their conservation.

Important Points:

• Gangetic River Dolphin Characteristics:
  • One of the five river dolphin species in the world.
  • Thrives exclusively in freshwater and relies on echolocation due to its blindness.
  • Hunts using ultrasonic sound waves, adapting remarkably to its environment.
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • Found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
  • Limited habitat underscores the urgency of conservation efforts.
• Threats to Gangetic River Dolphins:
  • Water Development Projects:
    • Disrupt their natural habitats, forcing them into precarious situations.
  • Pollution:
    • Contamination of rivers disrupts their food chain and habitat.
  • Hunting and Accidental Catches:
    • Poaching for dolphin oil and accidental catches in fishing gear pose direct threats.
• Conservation Efforts and Initiatives:
  • Legal Protections:
    • Listed in Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, CITES, and CMS.
  • Conservation Status:
    • Classified as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List, necessitating urgent action.
  • International Collaboration:
    • Asian River Dolphin Task Team (AR-TT) formed to address information gaps and research priorities.
  • Role as an Indicator Species:
    • Gangetic river dolphins serve as reliable indicators of river ecosystem health.

Why In News

In a groundbreaking study conducted by dedicated scientists and researchers, it was discovered that a remarkable total of 19 Gangetic river dolphins were successfully rescued from the perilous irrigation canals of the Ganga-Ghagra basin in Uttar Pradesh between 2013 and 2020. This significant achievement not only highlights the conservation efforts being made to protect these endangered species but also underscores the importance of preserving the delicate aquatic ecosystems they inhabit. The findings of this study serve as a testament to the collaborative initiatives aimed at safeguarding the rich biodiversity of our natural world.

MCQs about Gangetic River Dolphins

1. What is the primary method Gangetic river dolphins use for hunting?
   A. Sight
   B. Echolocation
   C. Smell
   D. Hearing
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: B. Echolocation
   Explanation: The Gangetic river dolphins rely on echolocation due to their blindness to navigate and hunt for fish in the counter current systems of major river channels.
2. Which of the following regions is the Gangetic river dolphin NOT found in?
   A. Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins
   B. Amazon River basin
   C. Nepal
   D. Bangladesh
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: B. Amazon River basin
   Explanation: The Gangetic river dolphins are found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins, spanning across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
3. What is the major threat faced by Gangetic river dolphins due to human activities?
   A. Habitat loss
   B. Climate change
   C. Predation
   D. Disease
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: A. Habitat loss
   Explanation: Water development projects disrupt their natural habitats, forcing them into precarious situations.
4. Why are Gangetic river dolphins considered important in the context of river ecosystems?
   A. They are a source of entertainment for humans
   B. They are an indicator of river ecosystem health
   C. They control the fish population in rivers
   D. They contribute significantly to tourism
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: B. They are an indicator of river ecosystem health
   Explanation: The Gangetic river dolphins serve as reliable indicators of river ecosystem health, emphasizing the importance of their conservation.

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