CIFRI Awards
The River Dolphins are widely recognized as indicators of ecosystem health and a thriving population of dolphins in a given body of freshwater indicates a healthy state of the aquatic ecosystem. At present, freshwater dolphins are among the most threatened groups of aquatic mammals due to their high vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts resulting from the proximity of their habitats with human settlements. In India, Ganges river dolphins are found in the tributaries of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. They have become endangered species because of overexploitation of these rivers by fisheries and also by extreme river pollution.
A one day International webinar on “Enhancing Conservation of River Dolphins” coinciding with International Freshwater Dolphin Day Organised by ICAR-CIFRI in collaboration with with NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga), IFSI (Inland Fisheries Society of India), and PFGF (Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum). The webinar was inaugurated by Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, IAS, Special Secretary and Director General, National Mission of Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jalshakti, Government of India. Experts on dolphins from various countries viz. India, Nepal, and Bangladesh participated and shared their experience.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI welcomed all the dignitaries and participants and gave a brief about the international river dolphin day and the need of its conservation. He briefed about the CIFRI efforts in Ganga fisheries including Hilsa restoration and ranching of IMC in River Ganga. He said that this effort would strengthen the Honourable Prime Minister flagship project River dolphin and enhance the dolphin conservation in the South Asian Regional Countries.
Dr. J. K. Jena, DDG (Fisheries Science), ICAR in his inaugural address discussed about the river Dolphin status in India and South Asia. He said that ICAR-CIFRI in collaboration with NMCG working on the ecological restoration of fisheries through ranching and other means. Government of India has declared river dolphin as the national aquatic animal of India. He said that Dolphin can only survive when water is clean and availability of fish as their food.
Dr. B. C. Chaudhury, Retd. Principal Scientist, Wildlife institute of India in his address briefed about the importance of international freshwater dolphin day. Dr. Dilip Kumar, Former Vice Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai in his address discussed about the stakeholders role in dolphin conservation in Rivers. He stressed on the local community participation for conservation of dolphin.
Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, IAS, Director General, National Mission of Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jalshakti, Government of India recalled two days international seminar organised by ICAR-CIFRI on 24-25 August 2020. He said that Gangetic dolphins mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana and edicts of King Ashoka. He said that pressure of urban population along with pollution load on rivers is posing challenge not only on the dolphin but also other aquatic life. He emphasised that NMCG is looking Ganga in its eternity and working on its restoration. He said dolphin conservation needs good mix of scientific ecological approach with community participation.
In technical programme, Dr Ajit Patnaik, IFS spoke about Chilika case study of irrawadi dolphins. Dr. Ruchi Budola Senior Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun discussed about the community participation in River Ganga, Dr Suresh Babu Director, World Wide Fund for Nature India discussed about the conservation of Indus River dolphin in Punjab.
Dr. Syed Istiak, Director, Deep Sea Fishes Ltd. & ASAP Healthy Food Ltd., Bangladesh presented his paper on River dolphin in Bangladesh River. Dr. Madhav Pantha, Ex Director of Fisheries, Nepal presented case study on dolphins in Nepalese rivers.
In Panel discussion Sandeep Behera of NMCG spoke about the dolphin conservation efforts in India. Dr. B. C. Choudhury emphasised on 6 Es for conservation these includes Ecological maintenance, Exploitation of the resources judiciously, E-flow, Empathy of community involvement, Exchange of scientific information and Education and awareness. All panellist suggested measures for conservation of river dolphin in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
1000 participants participated and benefitted through the interaction on different web plateforms.
