(a) whether as per study reports published recently, the existence of the Gangetic Dolphin, the only Dolphin found in India and declared as National Water Animal, is in danger due to pollution of Ganga and continuous decreasing area of its habitat;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government is preparing any schemes for the protection of the said Dolphin and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a)and (b) As per the recommendations of the workshop on operationalization of Dolphin Action Plan 2010-2020, jointly organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga and World Wide Fund for Nature-India in March 2014, construction of dams, barrages, indiscriminate fishing and increasing river pollution have continued to pose a threat to the well being of Gangetic River Dolphin.
(c) The important Schemes of Government of India for protection of Gangetic Dolphins include:
i. Gangetic Dolphins is one of the 16 species identified for taking up ‘Recovery Programme of Critically Endangered Species, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat’.
ii. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMRG) is implementing the conservation of aquatic life in Ganga under the National Ganga River Basin Authority and in accordance with the Dolphin Action Plan-2010-2020.