Recognizing the importance of dolphins in an ecosystem and the declining numbers of dolphins, experts from four different countries – India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar joined hands to enhance conservation of river dolphins, paving way for regional cooperation.
The decision was taken during a webinar on “Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the ecosystem health of rivers and its dolphin population: Present status and future strategy for conservation in India-Bangladesh-Myanmar-Nepal” organised by Inland Fisheries Society of India, ICAR – Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum (PFGF) and Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society.
Dr JK Jena, DDG (Fisheries Science), ICAR, during the webinar said, “These animals do not realise boundaries and have tried to find habitat wherever possible. Hence, regional cooperation is very important in conserving them.”
Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, Namami Gange also shared his experiences on dolphin conservation linking its importance in the rejuvenation of Ganga.
“Continuous efforts of Namami Gange to bring dolphin conservation to national attention have resulted in the announcement of “Project Dolphin” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). This project will be in-line with “Project Tiger” which has successfully helped in increasing the tiger population,” he said.
River Dolphins a unique species found mainly in rivers of Asia and South America are vanishing rapidly. Gangetic Dolphin, the national aquatic animal of India has been declared endangered by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
During the webinar, Professor AP Sharma, former Director ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, highlighted the need to research on dolphin habitat restoration and Dr. Dilip Kumar, Former Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE, spoke about the social aspects of fishermen’s life and Dolphins in rural India.
All panellists agreed that the most important fact was that a coordinated approach is needed for synergising transboundary efforts and to develop a regional program.
Other highlights of the webinar included Fishery conservation efforts under Namami Gange through CIFRI which would improve prey base in Dolphin habitat leading to enhanced Dolphin population.
Livelihood improvement of fishermen to help them join conservation efforts and a coordinated approach is also needed for synergising transboundary efforts and to develop a regional program.
As the Sunderban delta is a unique ecological space where Gangetic, as well as Irrawaddy Dolphin, are present, spread over India as well as Bangladesh, the conference gave a unique opportunity to the speakers to share experience on the dolphins.
It was also supplemented by Myanmar and Chilika Lake authority in the context of the Irrawaddy Dolphin.
Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Fishery conservation, Namami Gange