Abstract
The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is the most charismatic aquatic species inhabiting rivers of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It is an endangered species that occurs both in the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems in Assam (India). In the Brahmaputra river system, the occurence of ‘hihu’ is primarily confirmed in the mainstream Brahmaputra, the Kulsi river of Kamrup district, and the Subansiri river of Lakhimpur district. The dolphins inhabit river confluences or tributary junctions followed by river meanderings with the prevalence of eddy counter-currents and prey-fish abundance. Of late, it has been observed that river dolphin population has declined at an alarming rate due to the potential threats including poaching for dolphin oil, by-catch, overfishing, net entanglements, sand mining, habitat destruction through aquatic pollution, construction of dams, and lack of awareness. The species is left only in certain pockets of the Brahmaputra River. Thus, there is an urgent need for the conservation of this endangered species in its natural habitats. Effective protection of this endangered aquatic megafauna requires elimination and management of the potential threats. This review provides an overview of the distribution and population status, ecology, and management strategies and recommendation to increase awareness for its long-term conservation.
Highlights
The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the most charismatic1 freshwater cetacean species inhabiting the rivers of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.2, 3 William Roxburgh first described it in 1801.3 In Assam (India), it inhabits both the Brahmaputra and Barak watercourse systems.3 The species is commonly known as ‘Hihu’ in Assamese is categorised as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.3,4,5,6 Due to its steep population decline globally, its status has been upgraded from vulnerable to engangered.3 It is known as the BORDOLOI & SAHARIA, Curr
Despite its importance in the riverine ecosystem, very little information is available on the factors driving the local extinction of the river dolphins as very little research has been focussed on this particular aquatic megafauna of the Brahmaputra River system in Assam, India, as compared to the Gangas River system
The endangered Ganges river dolphin was once the most commonly sighted species in the Brahmaputra;, it is left with rare sightings in the mainstream Brahmaputra and its tributaries.Several anthropogenic causes such as poaching for dolphin oil, by-catch, over fishing, net entanglements, and sand mining has driven the species nearly to local extinction
Summary
Background The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the most charismatic1 freshwater cetacean species inhabiting the rivers of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.2, 3 William Roxburgh first described it in 1801.3 In Assam (India), it inhabits both the Brahmaputra and Barak watercourse systems.3 The species is commonly known as ‘Hihu’ in Assamese is categorised as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.3,4,5,6 Due to its steep population decline globally, its status has been upgraded from vulnerable to engangered.3 It is known as the BORDOLOI & SAHARIA, Curr.
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