The government of India declared it the National Aquatic Animal in 2009, declared endangered by IUCN and placed in Schedule I as per the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The Ganges river dolphin is known as the “Tiger of the Ganges” for the role it plays as a top predator, and because it is an ecosystem indicator species – much like a tiger is in a forest. It is legally protected in all countries within which it is found and is the National Aquatic Animal of India. Both Indus and Ganges river dolphins are considered to be living fossils, as they are the most ancient dolphin species still alive.
- Top predators:?They are top predators in their river ecosystems, which helps maintain healthy populations of fish and crustaceans.?
- Indicator species:?Their presence indicates a healthy river system.?Low dolphin populations in some areas can indicate environmental degradation.?Without them, their prey would significantly increase in number, and their predators wouldn’t have adequate food to eat. Without these lovable bottlenose dolphins, the ecological balance in the bodies of water they live in would surely get disrupted.
- Food chain:?They occupy the top position in the aquatic food chain.?
- Energy flow:?They help regulate the flow of energy in the river ecosystem.?
- Evolutionary history:?They have a unique evolutionary history. Dolphins are aquatic mammals that have evolved from land animals to ocean animals. While asleep, half of a dolphin's brain remains awake.
- Dolphins eat ill fish : The dolphins’ ecosystem helps keep the lives of other marine life and humans safe. This is because they prey on ill or sick fish, which are easy for them to catch. This helps cut down or eliminate infectious diseases among different fish populations.
- Dolphins help in marine studies : In fact, some samples from marine mammals, including the bottlenose, yielded data and information, which are mostly about diseases and pollutants. These data about dolphins play a significant role in both the environment and public health.
- Called blind as they do not have crystalline eye lenses and use echolocation to navigate.
- Awareness and Advocacy: World Rivers Day highlights the importance of river ecosystems, which directly impact species like the Gangetic dolphin. The day helps to raise awareness about the challenges these rivers face and the need to protect their habitats. Focusing on river conservation indirectly supports the survival of Gangetic dolphins.
- Conservation Efforts: The health of river systems is crucial for the survival of Gangetic dolphins. Pollution, habitat destruction, and water diversion threaten their environment. World Rivers Day emphasizes the need for conservation actions to improve river health, such as reducing pollution and managing water resources sustainably.
- Education and Community Engagement: World Rivers Day often involves educational activities and community events aimed at fostering a connection between people and their local rivers. Such engagement can lead to increased support for conservation initiatives, including those targeting the protection of Gangetic dolphins and their river habitats.
- Policy and Action: By promoting the importance of rivers, World Rivers Day can influence policy decisions and encourage stronger protections for river ecosystems. Effective river management policies can include protective measures for endangered species like the Gangetic dolphin, addressing issues like habitat degradation and pollution.
In summary, World Rivers Day serves as an important occasion to highlight the needs of river ecosystems and the species that depend on them, such as the Gangetic dolphin. By focusing on the health of rivers, the day supports broader conservation efforts that can benefit these critically endangered dolphins.
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