UP government, WWF-India launch River Dolphin census in Ganga

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh government and WWF-India today launched a census in 3,350 km stretch of Ganga and its tributaries to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the declaration of Ganga River Dolphins as National Aquatic Animal.

UP Forest Department officials flagged off the Dolphin census under the 'My Ganga, My Dolphin' campaign 2015 at Ganga Barrage in Kanpur with the financial support of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

The survey will also ascertain vital information about the endangered animal's population and devise a plan for its conservation.

Under the campaign, 3,350 kilometres will be surveyed by 21 teams and local communities of the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ken, Betwa, Son, Sharda, Geruwa, Gahagra Gandak and Rapti in 32 stretches led by Divisional Forest Officers, 23 NGOs and community volunteers between October 5-8.

"Aquatic animals, including the Dolphins, do not have a voice, hence it is even more important for us to become their voice and work for their conservation," Dr Prashant Verma, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), who is overseeing the Statewide campaign said.

"This is the first step towards developing a holistic strategy for conservation of Dolphins. We plan to continue this as an annual affair," Kaushal Raj Sharma, District Magistrate, Kanpur, said.

Uttar Pradesh is slated to become the first state to have conducted this census twice in a participatory manner using a unified methodology.

The census will contribute to enhancing data and information on dolphin population from across the distribution range of the species in the Uttar Pradesh state.

"Threats to species and its habitat will be identified and management strategy will be devised for 'Critical habitats' as conservation hotspots. The exercise will also help in building capacity for adopting effective data collection skills and monitoring by the participating teams," Sharma said.