On the occasion of the Ganga River Dolphin Day (October 5), India launched a campaign called ‘My Ganga My Dolphin’ that will facilitate dolphin safaris on river Ganga. The campaign essentially aims to boost eco-tourism in the country. By Kumar Shree
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has launched this eco-tourism campaign at six destinations across the country. These six destinations are in Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, all of which are blessed to have Ganga flowing through on their terrains.
Pointing towards the exact locations, the dolphin safaris on river Ganga will begin in Kahalgaon in Bihar, Bijnor, Brijghat, Prayagraj, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Bandel in West Bengal. Other than that, the initiative will also conduct a dolphin census in a 250-km-long stretch between Bijnor to Narora.
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As reported by Times Travel, NMCG Director Rajiv Mishra referred to the initiative as an effort to, “integrate Gangetic dolphin and Ganga conservation with local livelihoods, which is in line with the concept of Arth Ganga.”
Hindustan Times, in its report, quotes a statement from the Jal Shakti Ministry, which reads, “On this occasion through a video message, Jal Shakti Minister, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat congratulated the nation and informed that the population of the Gangetic Dolphins has increased in recent years. He also appealed to the people to join the Dolphin Conservation campaign while emphasising the importance of biodiversity in the rejuvenation of the river Ganga.”
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Ganga Praharis form an integral part of this new campaign. They are trained volunteers from local communities, and work towards maintaining cleanliness and general well being of Ganga across all states. Ganga Praharis will lead tourists to dolphin-rich sites during the safari.
Ever since Ganga River Dolphins were declared as national aquatic animals in 2010, India celebrates Ganga River Dolphin Day on October 5 every year.
As per reports, there are about 3,700 Gangetic River Dolphins in India. One can spot them in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Related: #SomeGoodNews: River Ganga Gets Cleaner During Lockdown, Water Quality Improves
