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National Dolphin Day

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Polity & Governance
  • Published
    28th Mar, 2022

Context

The Union Environment Ministry has designated October 5 as National Dolphin Day, to be observed annually starting this year.

Key-points

  • The National Board for Wildlife’s (NBWL) standing committee took this decision to designate October 5 as National Dolphin Day.
  • The day will focus on generating awareness as it is an integral part of dolphin conservation including the Gangetic Dolphin.
  • People’s participation to conserve Dolphins will also be focused upon on this day.
  • Focus will also be given to improving the Ganga and its tributaries’ water quality and flow so that Gangetic dolphins can survive.

Important facts about Gangetic Dolphins

  • Scientific name: Platanista gangetica.
  • The Ganges river dolphin is not only the only member of its genus, but of its family, Plantanistidae, representing an ancient lineage in the order Cetartiodactyla.
  • Geographic range: They can be found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Bangladesh and India. A few individuals survive in Nepal in the Karnali River and possibly the Sapta Kosi River.
  • Weight: 150-170 kg
  • Life span: 18-22 years (in the wild)
  • Conservation status: Gangetic Dolphins have been categorized as endangered species under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. 
  • The Gangetic dolphin acts as an indicator species. 
    • The status of this species provides information on the ecosystem’s overall condition along with information related to the other species that are present in that ecosystem. 
  • Threats: The Gangetic Dolphins are threatened due to water diversion, pollution, habitat fragmentation, etc. 

About National Board for Wildlife

  • It is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).
  • The National Board may, at its discretion, constitute a Standing Committee under sub-section (1) of Section 5B.
  • The Standing Committee shall consist of the Vice-Chairperson (Union Minister in charge of Forests and Wildlife) the Member Secretary and not more than ten members to be nominated by the Vice-Chairperson from amongst the members of the National Board.

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