from SANDRP.. April 29, 2022 South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People
We humans are thousands of millions. But of our mammal cousins, the intelligent, sentient Gangetic dolphins, there are just a few hundred survivors left. Let’s save them!
Despite being declared National Aquatic Animal and provided the highest level of protection under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, there are frequent incidents causing unnatural deaths to Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista Gangetica) in India.
Previously SANDRP documented deaths for 10 Gangetic dolphins due to man-made reasons including getting trapped in canals, fishing nets and hunting during 2020. Here we are tracking the issue January 2021 onwards.
11 Gangetic Dolphins Found Dead since Jan 2021Dams · Ganga
Uttar Pradesh March 2021 A 2.10 meter long and 11 year old Gangetic river dolphin was found dead on March 14, 2021 near gate number 32 of the Girijapuri barrage under the Katarniyaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district. The post-mortem report revealed that the female dolphin was pregnant. Her baby had died in the stomach spreading the infection. Most of the dolphins in the state are found in the Kaudiyala river which passes through the sanctuary. Despite this, forest department lacks plans for their conservation.
May 2021 A dolphin that strayed into Sharda canal was killed by villagers in Sitapur on May 16, 2021 evening. The incident happened when some residents of Dahirapur and Takiya Sultanpur hamlets in Hargaon police station area were fishing in Sharda canal.
The villagers later sliced the mammal and distributed it among themselves. Earlier, three persons were arrested for beating a Gangetic dolphin to death with rods and axes at Kothariya village in Nawabganj police station of Pratapgarh on December 24. 2020.
Some related reports In May 2021, scientists at Doon-based Wildlife Institute of India expressed fears regarding the Gangetic river dolphins and gharials in the Ganga being infected by Covid-19 mainly by the corpses of those who died due to the disease.
A November 8, 2021 Hindi report quotes local, expert claiming a family of 6 dolphins has migrated from its habitat along Ekdala ghat in Fatehpur district due to jitters caused by under construction bridge work and an increase in water pollution in the Yamuna river.
Bihar March 2022 – Corpse of a dolphin was found on the bank of Ganga near Ismailpur Purani Durga temple in Navagachia area of Bhagalpur district on March 04, 2022 which is part Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) India’s only River Dolphin Sanctuary.
A plastic rope was tied at the bottom of the dolphin’s snout and a bamboo peg was visible at the other end of the rope.
According to Deepak Kumar, a dolphin expert, this happens when a fisherman wants to keep the fish in a live state for a few days. In such a situation, he releases it into the water by tying it with a rope. It is being speculated that the same must have happened with this dolphin.
It managed to escape by uprooting the peg but failed to open the noose which would have led to its death. As per another report it was a female dolphin aging around 20-25. After the incident the DFO visited the location and started investigation into the issue.
July 2021 – Carcass of a one year old dolphin was recovered in the midstream near the Barari Ghat in Bhagalpur which comes under the VGDS on July 17, 2021.
Continue reading “11 of last Gangetic Dolphins Found Dead since Jan 2021”
