Uttar Pradesh declares Gangetic dolphin as a state aquatic animal

Tags: State News

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath officially named the Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) as the state aquatic animal.

An Overview of the News

• This decision underlines the importance of the species in the state context.

• Gangetic dolphins mainly inhabit the rivers of Uttar Pradesh, including the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghra, Rapti and Gerua.

• According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Gangetic dolphins are classified as Endangered, highlighting the urgency of their conservation.

Role of Gangetic dolphin in the health of the ecosystem:

• Gangetic dolphins serve as sensitive indicators of the overall health of the Ganga ecosystem and the well-being of other species living in the river.

• Their sensitivity to changes in water quality and flow underlines the ecological importance of preserving their habitat.

Meri Ganga Meri Dolphin 2023 Campaign:

• The “Meri Ganga Meri Dolphin 2023” campaign involves conducting a comprehensive dolphin census using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.

• This census is spread along the banks of river Ganga, extending from Muzaffarpur Barrage to Narora Barrage.

• The campaign was launched through a collaboration between the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-India in 2012, marking the third anniversary of the state's decision.