Historic Milestone: India’s First-Ever Ganges River Dolphin Tagging Inspires Awe and Conservation Hope
Guwahati: In a significant advance for wildlife conservation in India, the first Ganges river dolphin was tagged in Assam on Wednesday. This pioneering initiative was led by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in partnership with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak, with backing from the National CAMPA Authority, under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The river dolphin, India’s national aquatic animal, is known for its unique ability to navigate and hunt using echolocation due to its nearly blind nature. Despite being primarily found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli river systems, the species’ numbers and distribution have markedly declined over the last century, leaving considerable gaps in scientific knowledge.
The tagging project, a landmark under the national Project Dolphin, aims to bridge these gaps. By employing lightweight satellite tags, researchers hope to gain insights into the dolphins’ seasonal movements, habitat use, and responses to environmental changes. Such data are crucial as these dolphins are vital apex predators and play a key role in maintaining the health of river ecosystems.
Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav hailed this milestone as pivotal for both the species and broader conservation efforts in India, emphasizing its role in crafting informed conservation strategies. Director of WII, Virendra R Tiwari, and Project Investigator Dr. Vishnupriya Kolipakam highlighted the initiative’s importance for ensuring aquatic biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of communities dependent on these river systems.
Advancements in technology have facilitated the tagging process, allowing the collection of vital data despite the dolphins’ brief surfacing periods. Plans are underway to extend the tagging to other regions with Ganges river dolphin populations, reinforcing India’s commitment to protecting endangered species and setting a precedent for future conservation programs.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-india-conducts-first-ever-ganges-river-dolphin-tagging.html
Category : Assam,Environment,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2024-12-18 23:50:00
