Ganges River Dolphin
Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica gangetica
Habitat & Distribution:
The Ganges River Dolphin is endemic to the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) and Karnaphuli-Sangu (KS) river basins in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It prefers freshwater and is usually found in counter-current pools, especially below channel confluences, meanders, mid-channel islands, and scouring structures. It avoids high salinity, generally not exceeding 10–12 ppt.
Geographical Spread:
- West to East: Chambal River (India) to Brahmaputra River (Assam)
- South to North: Budhabalanga River (Odisha) to Bijnor barrage (UP) and Karnali River (Nepal)
- Isolated populations occur between dams and barrages, such as those at Bijnor, Narora, Kanpur, Girija, Farakka, etc.
Major Threats As per IUCN Threat Classifications
- Natural System Modifications
- Dams and barrages fragment habitat, block movement, and reduce water flow.
- Pollution
- Domestic sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, solid waste, and thermal pollution degrade water quality.
- Biological Resource Use
- Fishing nets lead to entanglement and accidental death (bycatch).
- Residential & Commercial Development
- Urban and industrial expansion near riverbanks disturbs habitat.
- Energy Production & Mining
- Sand mining, oil and gas extraction impact riverbed and flow patterns.
- Transportation Corridors
- Shipping lanes, ferry traffic, and dredging pose threats.
- Human Intrusions
- Recreational activities, boating, and festivals in river areas disturb the species.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I