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PROJECT DOLPHIN

PROJECT DOLPHIN

Why in News

Recently, the MInistry of Jal Shakti expressed his displeasure over the slow pace of the approval process for Project Dolphin.

About

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Gangetic Dolphins

Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica gangetica.

Discovery: It was officially discovered in 1801.

Habitat: They live in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.

  • The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind.
  • They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds.
  • It is a reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem.

Conservation Status

Indian Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972:  Schedule I.

International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN):  Endangered.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES):  Appendix I

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS):  Appendix II

Threats

  • Heavy Pollution
  • Construction of dams
  • Irrigation projects
  • High Fishing Activities
  • Bycatch
  • Poaching

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