Dolphins in the Ganges are now an endangered species.

India
October 15, 2011 2:41am CST
Dolphins which were once abundant in the Ganges are now a rare species in the river. But it is a good news that they can still be spotted in the Ganges along 460 KM stretch between ‘Sagar’ and ‘Farakka’. However, the equitable distribution of this endangered water mammal is threatened today and unless conserved, will lead to an ecological hazard in future. Dolphins love to live in deep water near the confluence of two or more rivers. Due to heavy siltation in their original habitat, they are being forced to change their locations and that is causing immense stress to their system. Siltation in the Ganges is caused due to release of flyash and other toxic industrial effluents which pose a major problem to not only dolphins but also to other aquatic lives. Moreover, a large number of dolphins are routinely caught in fishermen’s nets and left to die. Dolphins are not eaten and hence have no intrinsic value to fishermen. They are not poached either, but still live in a threatened existence. Many are caught in the wheels of motorized boats and get killed. A dolphin gives birth to only 1 calf every 2 to 3 years which make it even more important to protect them. So I think the government should have a strict policy to protect dolphins from gradual extinct. Siltation in the Ganges should be prohibited by taking stern action against the industrial units accused of doing so. Public should be made aware of the ensuing ecological imbalance thus caused by the gradual disappearance of dolphins. If all of us work hand in hand, I am sure there will be no further threat to the existence of this endangered water mammal. Do you also agree with me? Have you any suggestion for the purpose?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@daud4ms (218)
• United Arab Emirates
15 Oct 11
too sad to read this, Dolphins are man's good friend in sea world. Today industrialists are just after money, they don't care about nature & its immense beauty. Hope that government take some action against it.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
15 Oct 11
Yes, it has to be government at the head of a project like the conservation of the dolphins in the ganges. As for the siltation problem, government will have to take action to remove the silt. It is true that if the silt will be allowed to accumulate through the years, the mouth of the river will be gone and a delta shall be formed thereat. And, for a problem this big, only the government has the strength, the power and the authority to deal with it.
• India
6 Jan 12
The government is either deaf and dumb or starts projects on papers only, no active step has never been noticed from the government in any field of action.
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Oct 11
I think they should deem dolphins as a endangered species. They should work hand in hand in the hopes that the dolphin will be gone forever. One calf every 2 to 3 years is going to possibly cause them some problems. This is a sad thing that is going to be happening to alot of animals if we don't find a way to sustain them.
• Philippines
15 Oct 11
It is true that for problems of this size, it is only the government which can address it adequately. Foremost among the most concerned to spearhead projects to save the dolphins will have to be the government. I believe that there is an appropriate government agency where you can address this concern, didi. Then some non government organizations which are into conservation projects can be asked to join in in the efforts to save the dolphins in the ganges. It will also help greatly if the people will be made to understand on the role that the dophins have in the balancing of the ecology and what the presence of the dophins do to everyone in general. People take things for granted because, of lack of knowledge. Most of the general public are unaware that dolphins bring forth offspring in such long periods. In the Philippines, information dissemination on such matters are incorporated in the news items which are being aired through the radio and the television. Print media has also long joined in the conservation efforts of both government and concerned people's organizations.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
16 Oct 11
For me maybe because they use now for money making and they don't like to be in prison like no choose where to live.