Gangetic dolphin and Gharial in Chambal river

• In a recent survey conducted by WWF-India and UP forest department, the population of Gangetic Dolphins and gharial has increased in the past year.
• The dolphin population was falling every year between 2016 and 2020 but for the first time in six years, the population has increased.

• Their population increased due to a decrease in demand for fish and sand amid the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown.

Threat to aquatic animals in rivers:

• Illegal sand mining
• Illegal net fishing
• Environmental pollution
• Habitat modification or destruction
• Construction of dams

Gangetic Dolphin:

• It lives in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
• They can only live in freshwater and are essentially blind.

IUCN red list: endangered

• Protected under Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972
• Project Dolphin was announced to increase the population in 2020.
• Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary has been established in Bihar.
• 5th October is celebrated as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.

Gharial:

• Habitat: Chambal river, Ghaghra and Gandak river, Girwa river , the Ramganga river and the Sone river.
• IUCN RED LIST: critically endangered
• Listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Conservation Efforts: Breeding Centres of Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, National Chambal * Sanctuary (Gharial Eco Park, Madhya Pradesh).