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Time of India

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary: A last bastion for endangered dolphins in Bihar

Patna: In the ancient heartland of Bihar, where the Ganga meanders past whispering sandbars and age-old settlements, a 60km stretch of river pulses with rare life. This is the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS), India's only protected habitat for the endangered Ganges river dolphin and a last bastion for the "blind swimmers" of the subcontinent. Named after the historic Vikramshila University, this sanctuary, declared in 1991, stretches from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon, encompassing a rich mosaic of riverine biodiversity. Apart from being a safe haven for the iconic susu, it is also a thrumming aquatic theatre, hosting everything from elusive otters to critically endangered gharials, from soft-shelled turtles to over 135 species of waterfowl. The sanctuary is, in every sense, a living, breathing example of what India's rivers once were and could still be. "More than 250 dolphins and their calves can be sighted at Jhanwi Ghat, west of Bhagalpur. That is a clear indication that the water here is relatively clean and fit for the survival of dolphins," said Arvind Mishra, member of the governing council of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and a representative of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. "The efforts of both the authorities and environmentally conscious citizens have played a major role in creating conditions suitable for wildlife to flourish here," he added. What sets VGDS apart is its shifting, dynamic nature. During the monsoon, the Ganga's meandering channels and inundated floodplains reshape the land and water, constantly redrawing the map of this sanctuary. A particularly rich 36km stretch from Sultanpur to Bhagalpur turns into a breeding paradise for birds with sandbars emerging as seasonal nurseries for nesting species. "The sanctuary is also recognised as an 'important bird area' by the BNHS. It supports a host of endangered and migratory species like the Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), Greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga) and Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni). Greater and Lesser adjutants too have been reported here," said Mishra. "The ecosystem also supports a sizable population of gharials, various freshwater turtles and numerous fish species," he added. But beneath this shimmering surface lies a current of concern. "Pollution from fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural runoff, along with industrial and domestic effluents, continue to threaten the sanctuary's delicate balance," said Sunil Chaudhary, a Bhagalpur-based expert on Ganges dolphins. "Construction of hydroelectric dams, bridges and irrigation reservoirs disrupt aquatic movement, while accidental killings in gill nets and poaching remain persistent threats," he added. Despite these looming challenges, there is an undercurrent of optimism. Conservationists believe the tide may be turning. Govt initiatives, community engagement and scientific studies have started to yield visible results. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .