Ganges River's Plastic Pollution Needs to be Mitigated

Waste fishing gear

A recent research study has shown that waste fishing gear in the Ganges River is threatening the wildlife. The study has stated that entanglement in the gear can harm threatened species such as the Ganges river dolphin and the critically endangered three-striped roofed turtle. Surveys from the Himalayas to the mouth in Bangladesh indicated that waste fishing gear levels were highest near to the sea. The most common type of fishing gear recorded were nets. The local fishermen disclosed that large amounts of fishing equipment are being dumped into the river. The reason for this is because of short gear lifespans and scarcity of proper waste disposal systems. This study was led by researchers from University of Exeter with an international team of researchers from India and Bangladesh. It was carried out as part of the National Geographic Society's "Sea to Source: Ganges" expedition. The researchers used a list of 21 river species of "conservation concern" recognized by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). They combined current information on entanglements of similar species worldwide with the new information of waste fishing gear levels in the Ganges to evaluate which species are at most risk. According to Dr. Sarah Nelms of the Center for Ecology and Conservation, the fishermen would try to mend and reuse the nets if possible; but if they are unable to, then they discard them in the river. Professor Heather Koldewey, a National Geographic Fellow and co-leader of the expedition, stated that the study's data brings hope for solutions based on a "circular economy."

An illustration of the three-striped roofed turtle

I really think that the findings made by this expedition should be taken into serious consideration. The Ganges River is threatened by pollution in the form of discarded nylon fishing gear, which local fishermen are unable to mend. It is highly crucial to raise awareness of the environmental impact waste fishing gear can have on the Ganges, especially with the local view that the river "cleans it away." It is equally essential to set up waste disposal systems to properly dispose of unusable fishing gear. Furthermore, I strongly believe it is necessary to establish a series of recycling programs geared at turning nylon into other useful products. This would not only decrease plastic pollution, but provide income to the local communities along the Ganges. Professor Koldewey gave an example of how such a project was conducted in the Philippines and turned out successful. The plastic pollution in the Ganges is a complex problem which requires several solutions to benefit both communities and the wildlife. Among the wildlife is the three-striped roofed turtle, which is a critically endangered species on the brink of extinction and the Ganges river dolphin. The Ganges River needs to be efficiently conserved and time is of the essence.

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Reintroduction of Wolves in Colorado is Highly Essential

Gray wolf

 Last week, the Trump administration announced the removal of wolves from federal protection in the lower 48 states stressing that the animals had already made a successful comeback. The decision was challenged by conservationists, who argued for putting more focus and effort on coexistence with wolves and restoring their endangered species status. But now, there is hope on the horizon with a recent news of Colorado having voted on a proposition to reintroduce wolves into the state. The proposition, known as Proposition 114, requires the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to construct a plan to reintroduce wolves into the state west of the Continental Divide by the end of 2023. It also guarantees that ranchers should be compensated for any livestock loss. The proposition demonstrated for the first time voters proclaimed whether or not to reintroduce an animal. The votes were pretty separated between urban and rural areas, with ballots coming from communities around major cities such as Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs.

Proposition 114 won the Colorado state election.

I find that Proposition 114 winning the Colorado state election gives a great deal of hope for wolves. They had been eradicated from Colorado since the mid-1940s to make way for development and livestock in the state. Bringing them back to Colorado would ensure restoration of balance to the state's ecosystems by culling deer and elk herds that have had an uptick of chronic wasting disease. Also, conservationists say that wolves only inhabit 10 percent of their historic range in the U.S with majority of their populations fragmented. Reintroducing them back to Colorado has the possibility to help connect gaps between packs in the Northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and the West. According to Dr. Diana Tomback, an integrative biology professor and a member of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project's science advisory team, this would lead to more genetic exchange and stronger future generations of wolves.

An illustration of a southern Rocky Mountain wolf. This subspecies once inhabited Colorado before becoming extinct in the 1940s.  

I'm well-aware that people are divided with respect to the perception of wolves. Some see wolves as essential to the health of ecosystems, while others like ranchers see them as a threat to their livelihoods. This division of perspectives is connected to the conflict between people and wolves. Rebecca Niemiec, an assistant professor from Colorado State University, says that bringing together people with these perspectives is crucial. Failure to do so can increase conflict between people over wolves and lead to negative results for both people and wolves. Although wolves are shy by nature and kill less than 0.01 percent of livestock as indicated by Dr. Tomback, ranchers would still be skeptical to the findings. This is why I strongly believe that ranchers should be provided with livestock guardian dogs minimize attacks from wolves without resorting to retaliatory killing. When wolves became extinct in Colorado during the 1940s, the state's ecosystems changed tremendously as deer and elk populations began to increase. It is highly essential to reintroduce them into the state to stabilize the prey populations and restore the ecosystems. If the method worked in Yellowstone National Park, it should also work in Colorado.

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