Status of the Important Bioresources of Girwa River with Special Reference to Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India

Hari Singh,Sandeep Kumar Behera

doi:10.5772/intechopen.72661

Abstract

The Girwa River in India supports a rich variety of fauna including the endangered Ganges River Dolphin and critical endangered gharial. Due to rising conservation concerns, biologists in the country have conducted a great deal of research over the past few decades on the status of these species in its distribution range. However, in the Girwa River such studies are still lacking, both to inform conservation efforts and to help address broader concerns related to biodiversity conservation. In light of the above statement, the present study was conducted in the ca.18 km of the Girwa River in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. During the survey, dolphins, crocodile and aquatic birds were encountered along most of the river with the exception of ca. 1.5 km section below the international border and a ca. 2 km section above the Girijapuri barrage. Based on the best estimate, Low-best-high figures of 27-35-41 dolphins, with an encounter rate of 1.94 dolphins/km were estimated. Besides dolphin, 65 gharial, 20 mugger crocodile and 64 species of aquatic birds were counted. Actual growth may be higher because of possible population under estimation during the present survey. Increasing anthropogenic activities such as dam and barrage, coupled with mortality in fishing nets, are likely to affect the future survival of these populations. Recommendations for management and research are made to ensure the effective conservation of these species in the Girwa River.

Highlights

Freshwater ecosystems are fragile environment, are rich in biodiversity and are believed to be at risk than other freshwater animals
The Government of India declared it as the “National Aquatic Animal” [7] and it has received protection in nine protected areas (PAs); of these the Vikramshila Ganges River Dolphin Sanctuary near Bhagalpur is known for the conservation of the Ganges River Dolphin
In Girwa River dolphin prefers to stay in deep water in and around the confluence of rivers, shares its habitat with few indicator species such as crocodiles, freshwater turtles and aquatic birds many of which are fish eaters and potential competitors with dolphins [17]

Summary

Introduction

Freshwater ecosystems are fragile environment, are rich in biodiversity and are believed to be at risk than other freshwater animals. The Government of India declared it as the “National Aquatic Animal” [7] and it has received protection in nine protected areas (PAs); of these the Vikramshila Ganges River Dolphin Sanctuary near Bhagalpur is known for the conservation of the Ganges River Dolphin. They have received some protection in the Girwa and Chambal River, specially created for the protection of the gharial [8]. In Girwa River dolphin prefers to stay in deep water in and around the confluence of rivers, shares its habitat with few indicator species such as crocodiles, freshwater turtles and aquatic birds many of which are fish eaters and potential competitors with dolphins [17]. This was the first survey of its kind in recent times, where an attempt was made to objectively assess the status of important bio resources of the Girwa River in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Study area

Methodology

Present and past estimates of key aquatic fauna in Girwa river

Conservation constraint