PATNA: With only about 2000 Gangetic dolphins left now, down from tens of thousands just a few decades ago, government officials entrusted with the task of conservation of this endangered species have redoubled their efforts to save the animal.
“The extinction of Gangetic dolphins will mark a serious ruffling of the ecosystem of the river Ganga. So it is high time that we start a campaign to save the endangered species,” Surendra Singh, divisional forest officer, Patna, said here.
Worried over the alarmingly dwindling numbers of Gangetic dolphins, the forest department has launched a concerted campaign to ensure protection of the aquatic animal.
Speaking at an awareness campaign among fishermen and boatmen for conservation of the Gangetic dolphins here on Sunday, Singh urged them to call him up at 9431815971 if they come across cases of poaching of dolphins.
“These dolphins are found nowhere in the world except in different rivers of India, Bangladesh and Nepal,” Zoological Survey of India’s officer-in-charge, Bihar-Jharkhand, Gopal Sharma, said.
“It is of great importance to save the aquatic animal so as to maintain balance in the ecosystem of the river Ganga,” he added.
The Gangetic dolphins have been recognized by the Government of India as national aquatic animal. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has also classified the species as endangered.
The officials were of the view that the number of dolphins continued to dwindle due to poaching and pollution of rivers. Experts stressed the need to turn the stretches of the river where dolphins are found, into tourist spots. “Watch towers can be constructed on river banks. These will have double benefits – firstly, these will ensure safety of endangered dolphins, and second reduce the amount of garbage dumped into the river,” Gopal Sharma said.
Chief patron of Bihar Nishad Mahasangh Sahdev Sahni also urged fishermen and boatmen to help the forest department conserve Gangetic dolphins.
Gangetic dolphins are protected under the Forest Conservation Act 1972. Poaching of these dolphins is a non-bailable offence, inviting imprisonment of 3 to 7 years and a fine of Rs 10,000.
Read more: Efforts redoubled to save Gangetic dolphins – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Efforts-redoubled-to-save-Gangetic-dolphins-/articleshow/7169194.cms#ixzz19NaX7J3q