When the Gangetic dolphin was accorded the national aquatic animal status the other day, it was a moment of fulfilment for those at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi.The conferring of the status was the logical conclusion of a campaign for protecting the species that the institute took up 18 years ago. The CMFRI had persuaded the postal authorities to bring out a commemorative stamp considering the threat faced by the animal. Subsequently, a stamp on the dolphin and another one on the sea cow were released on March 4, 1991. The institute stepped out of its mandate of marine fishery research for protecting a fresh water species that time.The Rs.-4 dolphin stamp was released by K. Sukumaran, a judge of the Kerala High Court, at a function held at the institute hall.The Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) are found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra river system in India and Bangladesh. The animal, with long beaks, stocky body with a rounded belly and large flippers, were once found throughout many rivers in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. However, it is feared that the animal might have become extinct in Bhutan.The International Union for Conservation of Nature had listed it as endangered species. The population has dwindled by over 50 per cent during the past 50 years. Experts are of the view only 2,000 dolphins are left in the wild. It was an uncommon step for creating awareness on the rare species. The stamp had generated a huge interest in the society, especially among students,” remembered N.G.K. Pillai, director-in-charge of the institute.
Accidental killing through entanglement in fishing nets, hunting for dolphin oil, destruction of habitat and increased level of chemical pollution have proved disastrous for the rare species, scientists said.
The Hindu, 23rd October 2009
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