✅Gill nets used indiscriminately in the Bhagirathi river by the fishermen communities have been killing the endangered Gangetic Dolphins over the years.
● About Gangetic Dolphin:
✅It is a freshwater species and one of the few river dolphins found in the world.
✅It inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
✅Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
✅Scientific name:Platanista gangetica
✅The Gangetic Dolphin has been recognized as India's National Aquatic Animal.
✅Description:
✅A long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large flippers are characteristics of the Ganges River dolphin.
✅It feeds majorly on fishes and is usually found in counter-current systems of the main river channel.
✅Its eyes lack lenses, and as a result, this species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
✅They have a highly developed bio-sonar system that facilitates them to hunt for fish even in murky waters.
✅Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the 'Susu'.
✅Conservation status:
✅IUCN: Endangered
✅Wildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule-I
✅CITES: Appendix I
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