River Dolphins ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change along with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has published the 'Population Status of River Dolphins in India 2024', marking India's inaugural comprehensive estimate of the riverine dolphin population.

Key Findings

India's River dolphin numbers stand at 6,327, with 6,324 Gangetic River dolphins and just 3 Indus River dolphins. These dolphins are primarily found in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus River basins. Uttar Pradesh boasts the largest dolphin population, followed by Bihar and West Bengal. As an umbrella species, efforts to conserve dolphins significantly affect their habitat and the surrounding biodiversity.

River Dolphins in India

Gangetic Dolphin (*Platanista gangetica gangetica*)
 Indus River Dolphin (*Platanista minor*)
 Characteristics:
  ● Ganges and Indus River Dolphins are two distinct species based on genetic and morphological data.  
      ○ Functionally blind, relying on echolocation to navigate and hunt.
      ○ Features include a long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body, and large flippers.
      ○ As an apex predator, they are key indicator species of river health.
      ○ Exhibit unique side swimming behavior as an adaptation for navigating shallow waters.
 Gangetic Dolphin:
      ○ Recognized as the National Aquatic Animal of India.
      ○ Locally known as 'Susu' due to the sound they make while breathing.
      ○ Referred to as the "tiger of the Ganges" (apex predator).
  ● Females are larger than males.  
 Indus River Dolphin:
      ○ Designated as Punjab's State Aquatic Animal.
      ○ Locally called 'Bhulan'.
      ○ Brown/grey in color and adapted to live in muddy rivers.
 Habitat:
  ● Gangetic Dolphin: Found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Sangu-Karnaphuli River systems in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Commonly located in deeper river sections and confluences (freshwater).  
  ● India is home to 90% of the world's Ganges River dolphins.  
  ● Indus River Dolphin: Inhabits the Indus River system in India and Pakistan; also found in the Beas River in India.  
 Threats:
  ● Unsustainable fishing, man-made water infrastructure, poor water quality, human disturbance, and climate change (increasing salinity).  
 Conservation Measures:
  ● Project Dolphin (2020)  
  ● Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar  
  ● Chambal River Conservation Zone designated as a Dolphin Conservation Zone  
  ● India's first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) at Patna, Bihar  
  ● Conservation Assured | River Dolphin Standards (CAIRDS, 2021): A species-focused tool to enhance river dolphin conservation efforts.