CIFRI Awards
Healthy aquatic environments contribute to the planet's overall well-being.Dolphin conservation would therefore help ensure the survival of the species and the humans who depend on the aquatic ecosystem for their way of life. Dolphins are the ideal ecological markers of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. On August 15, 2020,
the “Project Dolphin” was launched by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to include both river dolphins and marine dolphins in its conservation program. Because of the significance of dolphins, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav declared October 5th“National Dolphin Day”, to be observed annually to raise awareness for dolphin conservation.
To make the day a significantly remarkable one, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute commemorated ‘National Dolphin Day’ on October 5, 2023, at Sheorapally Ghat on the bank of the river Hooghly under the Namami Gange Program. On this occasion, more than 100 personnel, including active fishermen, social activities, and students residing on the banks of the river, participated and were aware of the day.
In the conveying message, Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI and Principal Investigator of the NMCG project, informed us that over 30 different species of marine mammals, including river dolphins, are found in Indian waters. Only the Ganga-Brahmaputra systems are home to the Gangetic River dolphin (Platanista gangetica). Additionally, he emphasized the significance of the Gangetic dolphin as an indicator species for the Ganga ecosystem, as its susceptibility to variations in water quality and flow provides data on the overall health of the ecosystem and the other species that inhabit it.
Dolphins in India face numerous challenges, so spreading knowledge about them is crucial. Locals have been made aware of various river conservation measures through the awareness and sensitization programme. This is the stated goal of the recently established "National Dolphin Day."Under the overall guidance of Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, all scientists and research scholars associated with NMCG Component II assisted with the program.CIFRI organised an awareness program at Farakka where more than 50 fishermen participated.
