Gill nets causing deaths of endangered Gangetic dolphins-

Thickly knitted fishing gill nets have caused the death of yet another river dolphin today leaving the state fishery and the forest officials in jeopardy.

✅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