Conservation Issues & WWF's Interventions
Conservation Challenges
Once present in tens of thousands of numbers, the Ganges River Dolphin has dwindled abysmally to less than 2000 during the last century owing to direct killing, habitat fragmentation by dams and barrages, indiscriminate fishing and pollution of the rivers.
Listed by IUCN as 'endangered' and placed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Ganges River Dolphin enjoys high levels of legal protection both nationally and internationally. Yet its numbers continue to decline. The absence of a coordinated conservation plan, lack of awareness and continuing anthropogenic pressure, are posing an incessant threat to the existing dolphin population.
Listed by IUCN as 'endangered' and placed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Ganges River Dolphin enjoys high levels of legal protection both nationally and internationally. Yet its numbers continue to decline. The absence of a coordinated conservation plan, lack of awareness and continuing anthropogenic pressure, are posing an incessant threat to the existing dolphin population.
WWF-India's Involvement
WWF-India adopted the Ganges River Dolphin as a species of special concern. A Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Programme was initiated in 1997 to build a scientific database of the population status of the species and study the habitat quality of the dolphins' distribution range.
WWF-India has been working closely with various government departments, specially State Forest Departments ,local NGOs, scientists, researchers and universities to ensure the implementation of the action plan through capacity building and carry out conservation awareness and education activities. A River Watch Programme has been initiated to identify hot spots and develop management plans with the help of the Forest Department and create awareness in target areas. WWF-India has been working towards designating an international status like the 'Ramsar site' or 'Community Reserve' for these hot spots.
WWF-India has been working closely with various government departments, specially State Forest Departments ,local NGOs, scientists, researchers and universities to ensure the implementation of the action plan through capacity building and carry out conservation awareness and education activities. A River Watch Programme has been initiated to identify hot spots and develop management plans with the help of the Forest Department and create awareness in target areas. WWF-India has been working towards designating an international status like the 'Ramsar site' or 'Community Reserve' for these hot spots.