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Posted 05 Mar 2024

Updated 27 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • NDRC, first of its kind in Asia, will serve as a gathering point for scientists and researchers dedicated to the study of Gangetic Dolphins. 
    • It would boost conservation efforts for river dolphins. 

 

  • About Gangetic Dolphin 
    • It is India’s National aquatic animal. 
    • One of freshwater dolphin species in the world.
    • Distribution: Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
    • Protection Status:
      • IUCN: Endangered
      • Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I 
      • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Appendix I 
    • Key Features
      • Locally known as susu, which refers to the noise the dolphin is said to make when it breathes
      • They are blind. Hunt with the help of Echolocation.
        • Emit ultrasonic sound, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see” an image in their mind. 
      • Frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.
      • Females are larger than males and give birth once every two to three years to only one calf.

 

Initiative Taken for Conservation

  • Project Dolphin (2021) 
  • Habitat has been notified as Protected Areas, such as Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar.
  • Declaration of National Dolphin day (5th October)
  • A comprehensive action plan (2022-2047) has been developed to ensure well-being of the river dolphin and aquatic habitats.
  • Tags :
  • CITES
  • National Dolphin Research Centre
  • Gangetic Dolphin
  • National Acquatic Animal
  • Echolocation
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