The Ganges River Dolphin is considered the National Aquatic Animal of India. This dolphin is the south asian river dolphin, which lives in freshwater. These species are among the oldest creatures in the world, with Turtles, Crocodiles, and Sharks. 

Some important Facts on the National aquatic Animal of India

It was officially discovered in 1801. The government of India declared the Ganges River Dolphin a national aquatic animal in 2009. The National Aquatic Animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin, also known as Platanista Gangetica. This is a special mammal found in the Ganges - Brahmaputra - Meghana river system. This dolphin holds cultural significance in Hindu beliefs and stories. The Ganges river Dolphin is also known as the “Tiger of the Ganges”.

This article will give you the details and facts regarding our national aquatic animal, including their distribution, population, features, lifestyle, diet and nutrition, special recognition, WWF's initiative, life span, reproduction, threats, abundance, effects, project, benefits, importance, and sanctuary. 

This article is also available in the format of a PDF for offline access. Aspirants can download it by the use of the link given below. For any queries, check the FAQ section given below.

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Distribution of the National Aquatic Animal of India

The distribution of the National Aquatic Animal, the Ganges River Dolphin. The Ganges River Dolphin is distributed over 10000 km of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, and the Sangu-Karnaphuli river systems in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. The Dolphins are found only in deeper sections of the river.

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The population of the National Aquatic Animal of India

The population of the National Aquatic Animal Gangetic dolphin is around 4000 dolphins in the Gangetic River basin. Among these 4000 dolphins, 2000 dolphins are found in the Chambal River, which flows in Uttar Pradesh. There are approximately 5000 Ganges dolphins left in the world.

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Features of the National Aquatic Animal of India

The features of the national aquatic animal, the Gangetic Dolphin 

• This dolphin is a freshwater species among other dolphins, and it is found in a few rivers of India.

• It is inhabited in the range of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghana and Karnaphuli-Snagu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh

• The common names for the National Aquatic Animal are Blind Dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, and South Asian River Dolphin.

• The scientific name of the National Aquatic Animal Gangetic Dolphin is called as “PLATANISTA GANGETICA”.

Lifestyle of the National Aquatic Animal of India 

The Lifestyle of the National Aquatic Animal, Plantanista Gangetica, or the Gangetic dolphins, prefers to spend time singly or in pairs.

• They are isolated beings who were not known to do acrobatic maneuvers near boats.

• While fishing, the national aquatic animal, Plantanista Gangetica, occasionally gathers in small groups of up to 30 individuals at the best fishing spots.

• Ganges river dolphins are active throughout the day.

Diet and nutrition of the national aquatic animal of India

The National Aquatic Animal Gangetic River Dolphin is a carnivorous species that finds its food through its echolocation ability and hunts sea creatures like Crustaceans, Prawns, and Fish, including Crab, Mahseer, and even Sharks. It also ate Birds and Turtles.

Special recognition for the National Aquatic Animal India

The Ganges River Dolphin is on a special category list in India.

• It is considered to be India's national aquatic animal.

• This species has also been endangered in India on the IUCN Red List since 1996.

• They are endangered because of water pollution, dams, shipping, and bycatch.

WWF’s initiative on the national aquatic animal of India 

WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature is a Swiss-based international non-governmental organization that declares to protect the Gangetic River dolphin through education and awareness programs for fishermen and other riparian populations.

• A strategy and action plan for the Ganges river dolphin (the national aquatic animal) conservation has been formulated in Uttar Pradesh with the help of the state government.

• A network of partners for the national aquatic animal is also created across the country.

Lifespan and reproduction of the national aquatic animal

The Lifespan of the National Aquatic animal, the Gangetic River Dolphin, is estimated to be up to 30 years.

• They are thought to reach sexual maturity between the ages of 6 to 10 years.

• Normally, a Ganges river dolphin, the national aquatic animal, is expected to breed year-round.

• Most of its breeding time occurs between October to March.

• The gestation or Pregnancy period is thought to be around 8 to 9 months.

Threats to the Ganges River Dolphin 

National Aquatic animals, the Ganges river dolphins, are also known as freshwater dolphins.

• Most freshwater dolphins are trapped in dams and exposed to poaching, especially in dry summer months.

• Technically, there are no natural predators for the Ganges river dolphin in their native habitat.

• And also by the pollution, dams, and the removal of too much water.

• They also have less food because dams disturb their migration, breeding cycles, and fish and other prey.

An abundance of national aquatic animals

Some surveys estimate the number of Ganges River dolphins that originated in India, Nepal, and the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. There will be around 5000 dolphins in 2021.

Effects of fragmentation

Artificial fragmentation of species populations into isolated subpopulations is an increasingly common consequence of human activity.

• Such fragmentation affects species' survival negatively in most cases.

• Fragmentation limits gene flow and increases the vulnerability of individual subpopulations to natural catastrophes.

• It also limits the exposure of some groups of dolphins to certain environmental hazards, such as high levels of chemical pollution.

National Aquatic Animal Project 

Projects that depend on the National Aquatic Animal, the Gangetic Dolphin, are known as Project Dolphin, which was initiated in the year 2021 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India.

• Another part of this project is a dolphin breeding center for the Gangetic River Dolphin is planned in the Bengal region in the stretch of the Ganges River between Farakka and Gangasagar.

• Recently, the Tamil Nadu Government also issued an order to implement the Project Dolphin under the integrated development of the Wildlife habitat programme for the Government of India.

Benefits of  the project Dolphin in India

The project Dolphin aims to strengthen the marine ecology and overall health of the marine environment.

• Project Dolphin is a similar project to Project Tiger, which helped to increase the tiger population. Same as the project Dolphin Originated to increase the National Aquatic animal Gangetic river Dolphin’s population.

• A special conservation program for Gangetic dolphins, a national aquatic animal and indicator species for the Ganga River that runs through several states.

• In 2016, the National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) launched a dolphin conservation program to ensure the long-term survival of dolphins and other river fauna.

Importance of saving the national aquatic animal

The importance of saving the national aquatic animal, the Gangetic dolphins, is;

• During the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) held on 5th October 2009. It was decided to declare the River Dolphin as a National Aquatic Animal.

• National Aquatic Animal Gangetic Dolphins have been included in Schedule -1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972, thereby affording them the highest degree of protection.

• The important habitats of river dolphins have been declared as protected areas for their conservation.

• Financial & Technical assistance is provided to the state government for scientific research on the habitat, behavior, and population status of river dolphins.

National Aquatic Animal Sanctuary

The name of the National Aquatic Animal Gangetic River Dolphin Sanctuary is called as Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.

• This Sanctuary for the Gangetic River Dolphin is located in the Bhagalpur District of Bihar, India.

• This sanctuary is around a 60-kilometer stretch.

• This sanctuary was notified in the year 1991.

• Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary provides a safe abode to a rich diversity of other aquatic wildlife.

In closing of National Aquatic Animal

In this topic, we have seen the details of the National Aquatic Animal, from its first discovery to how it was added to the list national pride list in the name of National Aquatic Animal. And also we discussed its population, lifestyle, effects, sanctuary, etc. And in final it will be useful for any aspirants who are seeking to gather any new information for their research or study material.

National Aquatic Animal - FAQ

Q. What is the National Aquatic Animal of India?

The Government of India declared the Gangetic River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal.

Q. What is the name of the National Aquatic Animal Sanctuary?

The name of the National Aquatic Animal Sanctuary is the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.

Q. When and who decided to declare the Gangetic River dolphin a National Aquatic Animal?

The Ministry of Environment and Forest declared the Gangetic River Dolphin as the National Aquatic animal of India in 2009.

Q. What are the other names of the Gangetic River Dolphin?

The other names of the Gangetic River Dolphins are SUSU  and Platanista Gangetica.

Q. Why was the Ganges River Dolphin chosen as the national aquatic animal?

It symbolizes the health of the river ecosystem and is an indicator of clean and sustainable freshwater systems.

Q. Where is the Ganges River Dolphin found?

It inhabits the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Q. Is the Ganges River Dolphin blind?

Yes, it is functionally blind and relies on echolocation to navigate and hunt.

Q. What are the main threats to the Ganges River Dolphin?

Pollution, habitat loss, entanglement in fishing nets, and water diversion for dams and irrigation.

Q. How long can a Ganges River Dolphin live?

They can live up to 25–30 years in the wild.

Q. What is being done to conserve the Ganges River Dolphin?

Projects like the National Ganga River Dolphin Conservation Plan and the establishment of sanctuaries like the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.