National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC)

Context

The Gangetic river dolphin is being protected through the establishment of India’s first National Dolphin Research Centre in Patna, Bihar.

National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC)

• The NDRC has been established within the grounds of Patna University, situated in close proximity to the Ganga River. 
• Covering a vast area of 4,400 square metres, this centre’s strategic positioning is advantageous for researchers conducting studies on dolphins in their native environment. 
• Its primary focus is to investigate the behaviour, diet, and mortality factors of dolphins.
• Additionally, the facility will provide educational programs for fishermen on how to protect dolphins during fishing activities.

Need of NDRC

• In addition to conserving the endangered gulf dolphin, it requires the collection of important data on dolphin populations Developing conservation plans Ensuring environmental balance Raising awareness of the importance of this support through educational programs.

Gangetic River Dolphins

About

• The Ganga river dolphin that was announced as the “National aquatic animal” of India and is popularly referred to as the “Ganesha of the rivers” was first recognized in 1801.
• This is especially unique, for this species is one of just four types of freshwater dolphins present on Earth.
• The immediate families of its Chinese counterparts have gone extinct, safeguarded by the Three Gorges Dam, and those of the Indus River living near the Indian border.

Characteristics and Behavior

• The Ganges river dolphins are known for their extraordinary echolocation ability and watching them propagate is to discover this talent.
• Usually living beyond each other, they sometimes form groups of two or more, most often a mother and a young, that underline strong relations within their social structure.

Habitat and Ecological Role

• They also have a different name, the South Asian river dolphins, which they call their home in the rivers of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other countries ,marked South Asia.
• These species are known for their preference of choppy, Gilfish loaded waters with very little current. As such, they are notably great when it comes to keeping energy while hunting.
• Their conversion of the living water of quiet places where they could search for food to the shores is their essence. Here, alongside serving as primary signpost or metaphor for the well being of the river habitat, dolphins play a vital role.

Conservation Status and Protection

• Indian Gangetic river dolphins have been legally regarded as Schedule I species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, which ensures highly advanced protection.
• The IUCN Red List is the catalogue of protection status and CITES and CMS, both of them consider these animals as endangered species and included in Appendix I.
• This status set a clarion call to conservation stakeholders and governments to step up the conservation programs to enable protection of these distinctive creatures and their homes.

Source: Downtoearth

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q.Asia’s first Dolphin Research Centre is coming up in which city?

a. Chennai               b. Hyderabad

c. Patna                   c. New Delhi

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