India’s first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) inaugurated in Patna, Bihar

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.

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.

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