The Government of India has declared the river dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal.
Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh said that "by doing this the government was not only ensuring the survival of the species, which are endemic to the Ganga, but also sought to cleanse the river".
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who moved this proposal, has instructed the state authorities to halt dolphin hunting in the Ganga.
He has said that the presence of river dolphin signified a healthy aquatic life in rivers. There are less than 2000 dolphins left in Indian rivers- mainly in the Ganga- and the river dolphin is categorised as an endangered species.
Only time will tell, whether the Ganga can be successfully cleansed, and the river dolphin saved from extinction.
Uncertainty
3 months ago
