Dolphins face survival threat
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Today, the ripples they leave behind are few and fading. Despite its revered status as India's national aquatic animal, this freshwater sentinel is fighting a losing battle against rising pollution, river traffic and creeping urbanisation.
Once abundant in the subcontinent's river systems, the Ganges dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) is now confined to select stretches of rivers in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
The recently concluded first-ever comprehensive river dolphin population survey in India (2021-2023) has revealed an alarming reality – only 6,327 river dolphins remain nationwide. Among them, Uttar Pradesh hosts the highest number at 2,397, followed closely by Bihar with 2,220.
This endangered species belongs to an elite and shrinking club of four obligate freshwater dolphins worldwide. The others include the "bhulan" in Pakistan's Indus, the "baiji" of China's Yangtze (declared functionally extinct in 2006) and the "boto" of the Amazon river.
In conservation terms, the "susu" is under maximum protection, listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, Appendix I of CITES, and categorised as Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
Yet, no law seems sturdy enough to shield it from the escalating dolphin-human conflict.
"The Gangetic dolphin is an extremely useful animal for monitoring river quality. These animals act as indicators of a healthy river ecosystem.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Being at the top of the food chain, their thriving presence signals rich biodiversity," said dolphin expert R K Sinha, widely known as the Dolphin Man of India.
According to him, the threats are manifold – poaching, accidental killings, demand for dolphin oil and flesh, dam constructions and relentless pollution have all taken a brutal toll on their fragile numbers.
These dolphins, which navigate the Ganga using echolocation, are blind in the conventional sense but are highly adapted to their muddy environment.
They help maintain ecological balance by regulating fish populations. "Without them, the very rhythm of the Ganga's aquatic life is disrupted," warn scientists.
In a bid to turn the tide, the govt established the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) on the banks of the Ganga near Patna's Law College Ghat. Inaugurated a couple of years ago, this one-of-its-kind facility in Asia was envisioned to become a hub of dolphin science and freshwater ecology.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 32 lakh, the NDRC will study dolphin behaviour and habitat and do research on aquatic life like benthic macro-invertebrates, otters, gharials and even migratory birds.
"The centre will also take up river hydrology as a key research component," said Dr G B Chand, zoology professor at Patna University and member of the NDRC experts' committee.
But for all its noble intentions, the centre's journey has been anything but smooth.
"The idea was first proposed in 2011. It hung in limbo for nearly a decade before finally being approved. Even after the CM inaugurated it, progress has been agonisingly slow," said Gopal Sharma, senior scientist with the Zoological Survey of India and interim director of the NDRC.
"We have faced delays at every step – funds, infrastructure staffing. It has been rough weather since day one," he added.
Still, forest officials remain optimistic.
Prabhat Kumar Gupta, principal chief conservator of forests, said the govt was committed to seeing the centre flourish.
"The state's environment, forest and climate change department is closely monitoring the NDRC's progress. We are currently assessing the equipment and manpower required. The centre is expected to be fully functional within this financial year," he said.
Gupta also highlighted the department's goal to make the NDRC a centre of excellence, not just for research but also for training fishermen on dolphin-friendly practices.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Haryana defines forests for first time, but will it leave out more of Aravalis than it includes?
Gurgaon: Haryana govt has, for the first time, codified what it considers "forest as per dictionary meaning", laying the foundation for better implementation of environment laws that have been affected by ambiguity about this basic premise. But the state's definition is narrower than the frame of reference directed by the Supreme Court in a 1996 ruling and contains riders that could leave out of the definition's ambit large areas the same environment laws seek to protect. According to a notification issued on Aug 18 by the state's forest, environment and wildlife department, land parcels of at least 5 hectares – equivalent to 10 football fields – in isolation or two hectares of forests adjoining notified forests qualify as 'forest' if have minimum canopy density of 0.4, or 40% of the land in question. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon | Gold Rates Today in Gurgaon | Silver Rates Today in Gurgaon Effectively, this means that small patches of forests, Aravali hillocks with low density vegetation, scrublands, grasslands and community common lands will not be considered as 'forests'. The state's criteria explicitly exclude linear, compact and agro-forestry plantations, and orchards beyond notified forest areas, regardless of their size or density. Examples of linear plantations are roadside green belts, which are just a few metres wide though these can stretch up to several kilometres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo Compact forests are smaller scale areas with dense greenery. "The Governor of Haryana is pleased to define the expression 'forest as per dictionary meaning" for the state of Haryana as follows: A patch of land shall be deemed to be forest as per dictionary meaning if it fulfils the following conditions: Firstly, it has a minimum area of 5 hectares, if it is in isolation; and a minimum area of two hectares, if it is in contiguity with govt-notified forests. Secondly, it has a canopy density of 0.4 or more. Provided that, all linear/compact/agro-forestry plantations and orchards situated outside the govt-notified forests shall not be treated as forest under the above definition," the notification signed by Anand Mohan Sharan, additional chief secretary (environment, forests and wildlife), read. Haryana's definition, formed nearly six decades after the state came into existence, is narrower than the principle defined by Supreme Court in its landmark ruling in the 1996 TN Godavarman vs Union of India case. The top court had said that forests must be recognised according to the 'dictionary meaning of forest' -- a criterion that means any area with characteristics of forests must be protected under the Forest (Conservation) Act, regardless of the land's status in govt records. This concept, which came to be known as 'deemed forest', widened the scope of FCA and allowed protection of all such green areas from urbanisation and deforestation. Experts on Tuesday said the state's definition would leave out a large chunk of the Aravalis from getting any legal cover. "This definition doesn't even consider the ground realities that are unique to the state. The Aravalis are majorly scrub forest and have a canopy density of 10% to 20%. This definition won't even protect the habitat of Haryana's state bird black francolin and state animal blackbuck because these species live in grasslands... This will only benefit the builder lobby," said MD Sinha, retired conservator of forests, Haryana (South). Others pointed out that Haryana, at just 3.6% of its geographical area, already has the lowest forest cover among all Indian states. "In the last 15 years, Haryana has been developing six-lane roads in every district, which has led to a decrease in strip forests. 90% of strip forests in Haryana are gone. It has just 5 to 7 block forests, and even those are encroached on. Also, the definition is not practical as Haryana has scrub forest. The five-hectare rule won't work because there are no large patches of forest land in the state," said RP Balwan, former conservator of forests, Haryana (South). The exercise to come up with a definition of forests as per dictionary meaning was ordered by SC, which on March 4 directed all states and Union territories to identify forests to prevent the loss of green cover. The court's order came while hearing a clutch of writ petitions that had challenged the central govt's amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act. Supreme Court cited its 2011 Lafarge judgment (linked to a case on environmental approvals for mining in Meghalaya) and told all states/UTs to form expert committees within a month. Principal chief conservator of forests Vineet Kumar Garg told TOI that the state govt-appointed committees can now begin their work. "The committees will need to survey landscapes, verify canopy cover, apply the five-hectare rule and mark areas for inclusion or exclusion. This process will decide how much of the Aravalis and other open land actually get legal protection under the Forest (Conservation) Act," Garg said. Asked about the narrowed definition than the 'dictionary meaning', Garg said all states were asked to come up with their own definitions. "The expert committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary carefully analysed the definition of other states. Fifteen other states had already adopted a forest definition, which relies on canopy density of 0.4 or more. Haryana also decided to go with the same. This is for areas outside of (notified) forests. So, this definition will not reduce areas," the PCCF said. Though Haryana is home to 1 lakh hectares of the Aravali hills, more than half of this range (55,000 hectares) in the state has no protection under FCA. Much of this also has to do with the ownership oddity in Haryana, where Aravali land was never given the 'forest' tag by the state. Most of Aravali area is under the ambit of the revenue department instead of the forest department. The only Aravali lands protected in the state are because of court rulings, such as the special sections 4 and 5 of Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1990, and the Aravali Notification of 1992. Protecting the Aravalis is critical not just for the state, but most of north-west India. The ancient hill range is the only barrier that stops the Thar desert from expanding towards the plains. It is also home to a rich and unique diversity of flora and fauna, among them endangered species such as leopards, Indian pangolins and white-rumped vultures. Forest analyst Chetan Agarwal, too, bashed the state's definition, saying that the Aravali regions receive less rainfall and the forests have adapted to thorny and dry-deciduous vegetation because of it. "It is a pity that Haryana has blindly followed the lead of states like Goa in choosing a minimum threshold of 40% forest canopy cover to identify an area as a deemed forest. At least in the Aravalli hills, open forest with 10%-40% canopy cover and scrub (0-10% cover) categories should have been treated as forest as per dictionary meaning. This decision opens up the Aravalis to the ravages of urbanisation and mining," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Restoring balance: 131 turtles thriving in Hajo temple pond to enter the wild
1 2 Guwahati: Temples have emerged as an unexpected safe haven for turtles, turning into conservation hotspots. However, experts warn that this trend is creating an imbalance, as turtles are incredibly rare to be seen in their natural habitats. To restore balance, Assam state zoo has planned to release several critically endangered turtle species into the wild. The state zoo is working in tandem with authorities of Hayagriva Madhava temple, located in the town of Hajo in Kamrup district, 30 kms from Guwahati. Temple authority has handed over 131 turtles, which were growing in the temple's pond, to zoo authorities. Ashwini Kumar, state zoo DFO said the turtles are currently in quarantine, and will be released into the wild after 15 days. "We are monitoring the turtles to ensure that they are healthy, and we will be releasing them," the officer added. Kumar said the 131 turtles to be released include black softshell turtles, Indian softshell turtles, peacock softshell turtles and Indian tent turtles. The black softshell turtles are endemic to the Brahmaputra basin, and are listed as 'critically endangered' in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) red list. Meanwhile, the Indian softshell turtles and the peacock softshells turtles are listed as vulnerable in the list. Pranab Malakar, a resident of Hajo, who is also known as the turtle man said turtles are more commonly found near wetlands, instead of temple ponds, as it disturbs their natural balance and survival. He added that the turtles often face overcrowding, lack of food and poor water quality, which can spread disease. Malakar, who has been engaged in turtle conservation since 2007, recalls that the historic Madhava Pukhuri pond dates back to the Ahom era. Originally built under the reign of the Ahom kings, the pond featured natural sandbars and a rich aquatic environment, which made it a perfect habitat for turtles to thrive. "Being part of a Vishnu temple, it became customary for devotees to release fish and turtles into its waters, considering them as reincarnations of lord Vishnu. Over time, this age-old religious practice turned the pond into a refuge for turtles," Malakar said. He added that in 2006, the pond was encircled with concrete boundaries, which made it nearly impossible for turtles to nest and lay eggs. To address this, Malakar himself intervened — removing sections of the boundary walls and creating artificial sandbars to provide suitable nesting grounds. Today the temple pond is home to more than 1,000 turtles of 15 different species. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Shortage of teachers hits NEP in colleges
MUMBAI: Government and government-aided colleges across Maharashtra are reeling under a 38% shortfall in teachers, leaving them struggling to implement the requirements of the National Education Policy (NEP). Shortage of teachers hits NEP in colleges According to data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 11,918 posts of lecturers and assistant professors in 2,000 government-aided colleges were vacant as of December 31, 2024. The situation is particularly dire in aided colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai, where there are 2,127 vacancies – a staggering 41%. Colleges say the lack of permanent teachers makes it very difficult to meet the bar set by the NEP. 'We need permanent staff to teach the various courses we need to offer under the NEP,' said the principal of a South Mumbai aided college. 'We are currently hiring teachers on a clock-hour basis, but most of them don't continue beyond six months owing to low remuneration at government-approved rates.' Another college principal in Mumbai, said, 'We started implementing the NEP in our college three years ago, but offering students open electives in the spirit of providing a truly multidisciplinary education is impossible with the current staff strength. Without adequate faculty, the very purpose of the NEP is defeated. We are operating with contractual staff.' According to information sourced from the higher education department by RTI activist Abhay Kolhatkar, the state had sanctioned 31,185 teaching posts in over 2,000 aided colleges across the state, of which 11,918 remain vacant. The shortage of teachers began during the Covid pandemic, which began to unfold in early 2020, when the government ordered a recruitment freeze. Although 3,580 posts for assistant professors had been approved in 2018, only 1,492 were filled before the pause in May 2020. In 2021, another 2,088 posts were sanctioned but recruitment remained sluggish. The challenge has grown since the NEP was rolled out in autonomous colleges in 2023-24, and extended to affiliated colleges in 2024-25. The new policy introduced skill-based and practical subjects, requiring a greater number of teaching hours and specialised instructors. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all states to fill at least 80% of sanctioned posts to maintain their accreditation grades under the National Academic Accreditation Council (NAAC). In July, the state government approved recruitment for over 7,900 teaching posts and more than 2,200 non-teaching posts across universities and government aided colleges. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis cleared the long-pending drive, which was last attempted in 2022 but had stalled. However, no advertisements have been published so far. Professor Kushal Mude, national convenor of the All India NET and SET Teachers' Organisation, said, 'If a healthy teacher-student ratio is not maintained, the standards set by the central government for NEP cannot be achieved. Nearly 40% of sanctioned posts in aided colleges are vacant, and many private colleges have no full-time teachers. The government must recruit assistant professors in mission mode.'
