KANPUR:
The National Chambal Sanctuary in Etawah district which is a habitat of
aquatic animals is in troubled water these days. Soaring temperature
has led to acute water scarcity posing serious threat to aquatic
animals, particularly to Gangetic dolphins. Found in 1979 and spread
over 435-km, it is among the country's premier wildlife sanctuaries.
The Chambal river with ample depth was once considered a safe haven for aqua creatures to breed. Wildlife experts are a worried lot as the forest department has not yet come up with any initiative to save the Gangetic dolphin (Platenista Gangetica).
The Chambal river with ample depth was once considered a safe haven for aqua creatures to breed. Wildlife experts are a worried lot as the forest department has not yet come up with any initiative to save the Gangetic dolphin (Platenista Gangetica).
According to wildlife experts, the present number of dolphins is
believed to be 94 as per a survey conducted in 2007-2008. "The sanctuary
is facing an acute water shortage this summer," Dr Rajiv Chauhan,
secretary, Society for Conservation of Nature, told TOI.
Due to the heatwave lashing the area, linked rivers like Yamuna, Sindh, Pahuj and Chambal are receding while other small reservoirs are also on the brink of drying up.
"In the absence of water, the most affected will be aquatic animals, particularly Gangetic dolphins. This aquatic animal needs water not only for drinking but also for playing and bathing. The government agencies should have tried to make better arrangements earlier so that the animals did not suffer. It is high time they should be conserved," Chauhan said further.
He said it was shocking that till date no measures had been adopted by the government to save the Gangetic dolphin even after it was declared the national aquatic animal early this year.
"The Gangetic dolphins found in the region are a rare specie. Earlier, it was found in the Ganga river basin and all the linked rivers. But, now their habitat is limited to only a few rivers. Brahmaputra, Ganges, Chambal rivers are its natural habitat. In these specific rivers, there must be around 2,000 to 2,500 dolphins," informed Dr Rajiv Chauhan, secretary, Society for Conservation of Nature further.
According to the forest department, besides providing a safe harbour to Gangetic dolphin, the 435-km stretch of the Chambal also boasts of crocodiles, smooth-coated otters, species of terrapins and turtles, Ghariyal, Chinkara, Sambar, Nilgai, Chital, Hyena, Wolf, Wild Boar, Bar-headed Goose, Brown Hawk Owl, Booted Eagle, Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, Black Ibis, Jungle Babbler, fishing cats and White Wagtail-to endless varieties of monkeys, reptiles including the python, and a profusion of 250 species of birds which includes the state bird Indian Sarus.
"Gangetic dolphins are the lifeline of Gangetic basin. If the dolphin number increases, it is a sign of pollution-free river. If the number decreases, it is a sign of increasing pollution in the river," informed Neeraj Kumar, deputy conservator of forest, National Chambal Sanctuary, Agra.
Not very long ago, a dead dolphin was recovered from the banks of Chambal in Etawah. The forest department officials said the dolphin had died due to heat, Dr Chauhan said. Though the forest department started a probe into the incident, the final conclusion was reached without proper investigations, he claimed.
Another wildlife enthusiast informed that Gangetic dolphins had been included in the Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, "thereby affording them the highest degree of protection".
Due to the heatwave lashing the area, linked rivers like Yamuna, Sindh, Pahuj and Chambal are receding while other small reservoirs are also on the brink of drying up.
"In the absence of water, the most affected will be aquatic animals, particularly Gangetic dolphins. This aquatic animal needs water not only for drinking but also for playing and bathing. The government agencies should have tried to make better arrangements earlier so that the animals did not suffer. It is high time they should be conserved," Chauhan said further.
He said it was shocking that till date no measures had been adopted by the government to save the Gangetic dolphin even after it was declared the national aquatic animal early this year.
"The Gangetic dolphins found in the region are a rare specie. Earlier, it was found in the Ganga river basin and all the linked rivers. But, now their habitat is limited to only a few rivers. Brahmaputra, Ganges, Chambal rivers are its natural habitat. In these specific rivers, there must be around 2,000 to 2,500 dolphins," informed Dr Rajiv Chauhan, secretary, Society for Conservation of Nature further.
According to the forest department, besides providing a safe harbour to Gangetic dolphin, the 435-km stretch of the Chambal also boasts of crocodiles, smooth-coated otters, species of terrapins and turtles, Ghariyal, Chinkara, Sambar, Nilgai, Chital, Hyena, Wolf, Wild Boar, Bar-headed Goose, Brown Hawk Owl, Booted Eagle, Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, Black Ibis, Jungle Babbler, fishing cats and White Wagtail-to endless varieties of monkeys, reptiles including the python, and a profusion of 250 species of birds which includes the state bird Indian Sarus.
"Gangetic dolphins are the lifeline of Gangetic basin. If the dolphin number increases, it is a sign of pollution-free river. If the number decreases, it is a sign of increasing pollution in the river," informed Neeraj Kumar, deputy conservator of forest, National Chambal Sanctuary, Agra.
Not very long ago, a dead dolphin was recovered from the banks of Chambal in Etawah. The forest department officials said the dolphin had died due to heat, Dr Chauhan said. Though the forest department started a probe into the incident, the final conclusion was reached without proper investigations, he claimed.
Another wildlife enthusiast informed that Gangetic dolphins had been included in the Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, "thereby affording them the highest degree of protection".
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