Gangetic Dolphin

The critically endangered Ganges river dolphin, nicknamed "Tiger of the Ganges," navigates freshwater with echolocation as it is nearly blind. Once abundant, these ancient creatures now number around 2,000, threatened by habitat loss, dams, pollution, and poaching. Conservation efforts across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh offer hope, including protected areas and international collaboration.Protecting the Ganges dolphin means safeguarding the health of our rivers and freshwater ecosystems for future generations.

Dolphins were officially discovered in 1801 however they are one of the earliest creatures in the world. Historically they are found in two river systems one of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and of Karnaphuli-Sangu. Spreading over India, Nepal and Bangladesh, it is now extinct in most places with only about 2000 left.

The gangetic river dolphin known as the ‘Tiger of Ganga’ is only one of the five river dolphins found in the world. The dolphins only survive in clean freshwater and thus are a marker of the health and purity of the river ecosystem. They are the National Aquatic Animal of India.

• Physical Features: They have a thin long snout, stocky body and large fins which act as flippers. Their nose is at the top of their head in the form of a blowhole and hence they can’t remain underwater for longer than 2 minutes. They have to come up for air. They are hairless and have grey-brown smooth skin. They are mammals and the female is larger than the male.
• Hunting Food: They are blind and use ultrasonic sound waves to locate fish.
• Also Called: Susu (based on the sound they make while coming up for air), Tiger of the Ganges, Blind Dolphin, Bhagirath and Hihu.
• Breeding: Females give birth one in two to three years. Only one calf is born at a tim
• Geographical Spread:
  • Found in freshwaters of Ganga-Brahmaputra-Barak river system in India. Spread over Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal in The upper Ganga River, Chambal River, Ghagra and Gandak Rivers, Son and Kosi rivers, and Kulsi River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra.
  • Also found in Nepal’s Karnali, Sapta Koshi and Narayani river systems, and Bangladesh’s Meghna, Karnaphuli and Sangu river systems.

Their numbers have dwindled to just about 2000 from ten thousands due to poaching, habitat degradation, fragmentation of habitat as rivers are dammed, declining flow in river due to siltation, pollution from agricultural fields, industrial waste, municipal sewage etc They are also caught up in fishing nets leading to deaths. Their oil is used for medicinal purposes leading to illegal trading and poaching.

• International Union for Conservation of Nature: Has classified them as endangered species.
• The Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1974 provides them maximum protection under Schedule I.
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora puts them under Appendix I i.e. most endangered species needing urgent protection measures.
• Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) in Bihar is a dedicated sanctuary for Gangetic dolphins.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in India has taken the following initiatives:
  • Financial assistance to States under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Wildlife Habitats
  • Comprehensive Action Plan (2022-47) for river dolphins and aquatic habitats. .
• The Wildlife Institute of India published a report titled “Development of conservation action plan for Dolphins” in 2016. They identified the following objectives
  • Recovery Plan for Dolphins & their Habitats
  • Engaging Stakeholders
  • Develop Monitoring Protocols
  • Assess quality of river habitat: to check water quality, invasive species and surrounding land area.
• Project Dolphin : It was launched by the Indian government in 2020. The aim of this project is to conserve and protect the Gangetic dolphin and its habitat.

The gangetic river dolphin faces critical challenges that have led to a significant decline in their population. However, ongoing conservation efforts, both at the national and international levels, reflect a collective commitment to safeguarding their existence. Measures such as legal protection, dedicated sanctuaries, and comprehensive action plans demonstrate a proactive stance in addressing the complex threats posed by poaching, habitat degradation, and pollution. Moving forward, sustained collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and continuous monitoring remain imperative to ensure the revitalization of the gangetic river dolphin population and the preservation of its vital role in reflecting the health of river ecosystems.