DOLPHIN CONSERVATION AND GANGA REJUVINATION Sandeep Kumar Behera

DOLPHIN CONSERVATION AND GANGA REJUVINATION Sandeep Kumar Behera National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Department of WR, RD & Ganga Rejuvination Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India

GANGA - EARLIER RESTORATION PROCESS Earlier efforts to restore the Ganga were largely limited to water quality maintenance without giving due importance to other ecological functions. Information on the outcome of the decades of studies on aquatic biodiversity are scattered and needs consolidation. Community participation was not encouraged and the perception and attitude of the local people were not built into the restoration process. Religious beliefs and the livelihood issues of the people were not tackled leading to decline in ecosystem service value of the Ganga. In spite of concerted efforts, desired success in restoring the Ganga River was not fully achieved

VISION & MISSIONS OF NAMAMI GANGE PROGRAMME I. “Aviral Dhara” (Uninterrupted Flow) The flow of water, sediments and other natural constituents of river Ganga are continuous and adequate over its entire length throughout the year. II. “Nirmal Dhara” (Unpolluted Flow) The flow in the Ganga river network is bereft of manmade pollution. III. Geologic Entity Ganga river system is the earth’s creations of ancient times, which may not be reparable if damaged. IV. Ecological Entity Ganga river system is a delicately structured balance between living species and the physical environment, achieved by nature over thousands of years, and vulnerable to irreversible changes.

ECOLOGICAL ENTITY BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Develop a science-based aquatic species restoration plan for Ganga River by involving multiple stakeholders 1. Biodiversity conservation and Ganga rejuvenation project with WII 2. Assessment of Fish & fisheries in Ganga river system for developing sustainable conservation & restoration plan with CIFRI 3. Educating Schools and Communities for sustainable actions for conserving habitat of Ganga River Dolphin along Ganga River Basin with CEE

BIODIVERSITY PROFILE OF GANGA RIVER § § § 5 species of Mammals 177 species of Aquatic Birds 27 species of Reptiles 11 species of Amphibians 378 species of Fishes

FACTORS AFFECTING GANGA’S BIODIVERSITY § § § § Reduced water availability Changes in river morphology Water pollution Habitat fragmentation and loss Excessive resource extraction Decline in Prey-base Poaching of wildlife Unsustainable development

RIVER DOLPHINS IN INDIA • GANGES RIVER DOLPHIN (Platanista gangetica) • INDUS RIVER DOLPHIN (Platanista gangetica minor) • IRRAWADY RIVER DOLPHIN (Orcaella brevirostris)

STATUS IN THE RED DATA BOOK & IWPA • Ganges dolphin – endangered, Schedule I • Indus dolphin – endangered, (Not listed) • Irrawaddy dolphin – Critically Endangered, Schedule I

THREATS FOR RIVER DOLPHINS • • • Fisheries By-catch mortalities Dams and Barrages Loss of habitat Pollution Developmental projects Lack of conservation focus

HISTORICAL WORKS • Pre-Independence taxonomic work by ZSI • Tissue based work by Kasuya et. al. on phylogeny • Post Independence 1) status survey and threat assessment 1980 onwards 2) establishment of protected areas 3) detailed research 2000 onwards

POST ASIA RIVER DOLPHIN WORKSHOP 1992, NEW DELHI, INDIA • 1997 onwards Status and Gap area survey by WWF-India with partner organizations • Work by Bhagalpur University since 2001 to present in Vikramshila River dolphin Sanctuary • In Brahmaputra by Aaranayak 2000 onwards • December 2007 rediscovery of Indus dolphin in Beas river, Punjab, India by WWF India • 5 th October 2009 in the First NGRBA meeting the Ganges River dolphins was declared as India’s National Aquatic Animal • 2010 – Dolphin Action Plan, Prepared by Mo. EF & CC • 2014 – Working document of Dolphin Action Plan by NMCG and WWF-India • 2016 onwards to present – Implementation of the Dolphin Action Plan through NMCG - WII project. • On 14 th December 2019, in the National Ganga Council meeting PM of India decided to launch Project Dolphin similar to Project tiger.

MAJOR STATUS SURVEYS • 1980’s – National Chambal Sanctuary by WII • 1982 -83 and 1986 – Shrestha in Nepal • 1989 -90 – Status Survey in Lower Ganges by Patna University & WWF • 1990 -95 – Gwalior University /Patna University under Ganga Action Plan • 1990’s - R. S. Lalmohan / Bairagi in Brahmaputra river • 2000 onwards - Irrawady dolphin survey by CDA • 2012 & 2016 – Survey of Rivers of Uttar Pradesh by WWF-India • 2012 onwards - Survey of Beas River by WWF-India for Indus dolphin • 2017 - Survey in Rivers of Bihar by State Forest department & partner. • 2017 -19 – Status survey in Ganga by NMCG-WII

Channel depth(m) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480 520 560 600 640 680 720 760 800 840 880 920 960 1000 1040 1080 1120 1160 1200 1240 1280 1320 1360 1400 1440 1480 1520 1560 1600 1640 1680 1720 1760 1800 1840 1880 1920 1960 2000 2040 2080 2120 2160 2200 2240 2280 DEPTH PROFILE OF GANGA RIVER FROM BIJNOR TO NOORPUR Bijnor barrage Kanpur barrage Farakka barrage 4. 70 m

PRESENT STATUS OF RIVER DOLPHIN IN GANGA RIVER

AREAS WITH SIGNIFICANT GANGETIC DOLPHIN

PRESENT ACTIVE GROUPS • • • • Ganga - Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Brahamaputra – Aaranayak/ DCS Vikramshila – Bhagalpur University CEE – River Dolphin Education and Awareness Lower Ganges – Patna University/ZSI Upper Ganga and Middle Ganga – WWF-India Southern tributaries – M. P Forest dept. Northern Tributaries – U. P Forest dept. Chilika Lake – CDA/ IIT Delhi/Tokyo University/WWF-India Beas River – WWF-India / Punjab Wildlife Department Bombay Natural History Society – IBA State Forest Departments of range states Turtle Conservation Alliance (TSA-India)

PROTECTED AREAS SUPORTING RIVER DOLPHINS CONSERVATION • • • Chambal – Ghariyal Sanctuary Katernia Ghat Vikramshila – Dolphin Sanctuary Sunderbans – World Heritage Site/Ramsar Site Chilika – Ramsar Site Hastinapur Kaziranga Harike - Ramsar Site Upper Ganga River, Narora – Ramsar Site

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR RIVER DOLPHIN CONSERVATION • • • Community based Conservation & IRBM by WWF-India and CDA River Watch – WWF-India & Partner Organization Community based dolphin tourism – CDA Dolphin Conservation Network – Aaranayak Community involvement and Awareness – Bhagalpur University and WWF-India • Population estimation using Acoustics – WWF-India/Tokyo University/IIT Delhi • Generic Management Plan for riverine Sanctuary – WII, WWF-India, M. P, U. P & Rajasthan Forest Department • Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity through Community Participation by WII – Ganga Praharies

WHY SHOULD THE RIVER DOLPHIN IN INDIA BE CONSERVED • Baiji extinction in China • Precarious status in Nepal and Bangladesh • India is last stronghold with extant populations in Ganges – Brahmaputra and Re-discovery in Indus basin • An excellent indicator of riverine ecosystem health • Unique riverine species with echolocation abilities • Friend of fishermen • National Aquatic Animal

OPPORTUNITIES FOR RIVER DOLPHIN CONSERVATION IN INDIA • Namami Gange Programme • Mo. EF’s Programme for Wildlife Outside protected areas • Focus of International Conservation organizations • Increased Awareness of research institutions and academics on aquatic fauna • International Convention obligations • Iconic status

EFFORTS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF GANGETIC RIVER DOLPHIN DURING COVID 19

EFFORTS OF GANGA PRAHARIS TOWARDS CONSERVATION OF GANGETIC RIVER DOLPHINS DEVELOPING CAPACITY OF VOLLENTEERS The Trained cadre self motivated people known as Ganga Praharis are working endlessly towards the conservation of the biodiversity of the Ganga River.