Regional Cooperation Essential to Save Southern Asia's River Dolphins

Gangetic river dolphin

Experts from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Burma have recently joined forces to intensify conservation of river dolphins in the region, paving way for regional collaboration. A webinar was organized by the Inland Fisheries Society of India, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), National Mission for Clean Ganga, Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum, and the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society During the session, Dr. J.K Jena of CIFRI indicated that the dolphins "do not realize boundaries and have tried to find habitat wherever possible." Therefore, regional collaboration is essential in conserving them. Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga Rajiv Ranjan Mishra shared his experiences on dolphin conservation connecting its importance to revitalization of the Ganges River. Ongoing efforts of the National Mission for Clean Ganga to bring dolphin conservation to national attention have led to Prime Minister Narendra Modi making an announcement of "Project Dolphin" under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. National Mission for Clean Ganga has given importance to biodiversity and ecological enhancement along with pollution decline and projects have been initiated for improvement of fisheries with CIFRI and for biodiversity conservation with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The webinar consisted of former CIFRI Director Professor A.P Sharma pointed out the need to research dolphin habitat restoration, while former Vice Chancellor Dr. Dilip Kumar talked about the social aspects of fishermen's life and dolphins in rural India. Among all the points agreed on during the webinar, the most important fact was that an organized approach is required for energizing trans-boundary efforts and to set up a regional program. Other focal points included fishery conservation efforts under the National Mission for Clean Ganga through CIFRI to better prey base in dolphin habitat resulting in increased dolphin population and improvement in the livelihood of fishermen to help them join conservation efforts.

Irrawaddy dolphin

I have strongly believed that regional cooperation between countries is vital for the conservation of various endangered species. This is especially true when an endangered species inhabits not just one country, but neighboring countries as well. This is seen here in the case of river dolphins, which include the Gangetic river and Irrawaddy dolphins. The Gangetic river dolphin inhabits the river systems of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Therefore, instead of each of these countries individually working to conserve and protect their respective dolphin populations, it would be more helpful and effective to join hands. Similar method would also help in conserving the Irrawaddy dolphin, whose populations inhabit rivers and estuaries near sea coasts of India, Bangladesh, and Burma. I have a hopeful feeling that this regional collaboration between these four countries will ensure protection and conservation of river dolphins. I also hope that other river dolphin countries will follow this example in conserving their dolphin populations.

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