Ganges river dolphin tagged for the first time in Assam

Why in the NEWS?

• Recently, the Ganges River Dolphin was tagged for the first time in Assam.
• The Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department tagged a healthy male dolphin and released it under veterinary care.
• Given the lack of information on the habitat requirements, movement patterns or home-range of the Ganges River Dolphin, it was decided to carry out satellite tagging of the dolphin across its dispersal range.
• Tagging will help in understanding the seasonal and migratory patterns, range, distribution and habitat use of the dolphin
• Particularly where the river course has been altered by human activity, which impedes the movement of the species

Ganges River Dolphin

• Its scientific name is Platanista Gangetica.
• It is the national aquatic animal of India.
  • This dolphin is blind.
  • It can live only in fresh water.
  • It cannot breathe in water, so it has to come out of water to breathe.
  • It is also called 'Susu' due to the sound it makes while breathing.
• It is found in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
• In India, it is found in the Ganges River and its tributaries Ghaghara, Koshi, Gandak, Chambal, and Yamuna etc.
• Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary has been established in Bihar.
• October 5 is celebrated as National Ganges River Dolphin Day.
• In the year 2009, the Government of India recognized the Ganges Dolphin as the national aquatic animal.

Conservation status

• It is listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – Endangered.
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) - Appendix-I.