The historic milestone will deepen understanding of conserving our National Aquatic Animal: Shri Bhupender Yadav
Today marks a historic achievement in wildlife conservation. Assam tagged the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). They collaborated with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) implemented it in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak. The National CAMPA Authority funded this initiative. This is the first tagging in India. It is also the first for the species. This milestone is a significant advancement of Project Dolphin. The visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has guided this project.
There is a lack of information on Ganges River Dolphin habitat needs. Details about their movement patterns or home-range are also scarce. As a result, researchers decided to undertake satellite tagging of dolphins in their distribution range. The first tagging event occurred in Assam. Researchers tagged and released a healthy male river dolphin under utmost veterinary care. The tagging exercise will help researchers understand their seasonal and migratory patterns. It will also provide insight into their range, distribution, and habitat utilization, particularly in fragmented or disturbed river systems.
Historic Milestone for Conserving National Aquatic Animal: Bhupender Yadav
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav shared news on social media. He expressed his happiness. He announced the first-ever tagging of the Ganges River Dolphin in Assam. This achievement marks a historic milestone for the species and India! This project is funded by MoEFCC and National CAMPA. It is led by the Wildlife Institute of India. The project collaborates with Assam Forest Dept and Aaranyak. It will deepen our understanding of conserving our National Aquatic Animal.”
Conservation Challenges of the Ganges River Dolphin
The Ganges River Dolphin, India’s National Aquatic Animal, is unique in its ecology. It is nearly blind and relies on echolocation for its biological needs. Approximately 90% of the species’ population resides in India, historically distributed across the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli river systems. Still, its distribution has drastically declined over the past century. Despite its wide range, significant knowledge gaps persist about this species due to its elusive behavior. It surfaces for only 5-30 seconds at a time. This behavior poses a significant challenge in understanding the ecological needs of the species. It also hinders any scientifically sound conservation interventions.
The MoEFCC has funded the Wildlife Institute of India under the umbrella of Project Dolphin. This funding is through the National CAMPA Authority. The aim is to undertake comprehensive range-wide research. They will develop a conservation action plan and fill existing knowledge gaps for the long-term conservation of the species. Ganges River Dolphins are apex predators. They serve as umbrella species for the river systems. It is important to guarantee their well-being because it will lead to the sustenance of the entire river ecosystem.
Tagging River Dolphins will contribute to evidence-based conservation
Director, WII, Shri Virendra R. Tiwari said, “Tagging River Dolphins will contribute to evidence-based conservation strategies that are urgently needed for this species. I am delighted that this historic step has been undertaken”.
Project investigator Dr. Vishnupriya Kolipakam emphasized, “This is a significant advancement in understanding the ecological needs of river dolphins. It will help conserve critical habitats within these vast river ecosystems. This is vital not only for aquatic biodiversity but also for sustaining thousands of people who depend on these resources.”
Advancements in Dolphin Tracking and Wildlife Conservation in India
The tagging was made possible by advancements in technology. The lightweight tags emit signals compatible with Argos satellite systems, even with limited surfacing time. They are designed to reduce interference with dolphin movement. Plans are underway to extend this initiative to other states inhabited by Ganges River Dolphins. This extension aims to build a comprehensive understanding of their population dynamics. It will also help in understanding their habitat requirements. This monumental effort shows India’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation. It sets a new benchmark in the protection of endangered species.
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