(a) the details of threatened species in the Indian seas, species-wise;
(b) whether such threatened species were found dead on the sea shore and if so, the details thereof, species-wise;
(c) the number of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and whale found dead in Mumbai and other parts of the country; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to rescue the whales washed ashore on the Indian coasts?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) The details of marine species that are considered to be threatened and thereby listed in the Schedules of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 are given in Annexure.
(b) and (c) As per the information available in the Ministry, the following deaths of marine animals were noted since January 2016:
(a)1711 number of carcasses of Olive Ridley Turtles have been detected near Gahirmatha Sanctuary, Odisha from 1.11.2015 to 31.3.2016. Besides, six dolphins had died along the coast of Tamil Nadu since January 2016.
(b)74 short finned pilot whales were found dead near the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere reserve, Tamil Nadu in January 2016.
(c)One Bryde’s Whale was washed ashore dead on Mumbai coast in January 2016.
(d)The respective State Forest Departments initiate rapid action in coordination with other Departments like Fisheries, Maritime Board, Coast Guard, Animal Husbandry, Non Governmental Organizations, scientific institutions, local people etc for rescue of the stranded live whales/dolphins. Further, fishermen along the coast have been sensitized for immediate reporting of whales/dolphins moving close to the shoreline, so that immediate action is taken in case of any emergency