Assam: Endangered Ganges River Dolphin Faces Threat from Illegal Sand Mining in Kulsi River

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• Dec 7, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Kulsi River in Assam, home to the endangered Ganges River dolphin, is facing a severe threat due to...

Digital Desk: The Kulsi River in Assam, home to the endangered Ganges River dolphin, is facing a severe threat due to illegal sand mining and the construction of bridges. The alteration of the water-flow regime is not only endangering the aquatic mammal but also jeopardizing the livelihoods of riparian communities dependent on the Kulsi.

The Assam government bestowed the Ganges River dolphin the status of "State Aquatic Animal" in 2008, followed by the Central government declaring it the "National Aquatic Animal" in 2009. Despite these recognitions, indiscriminate and illegal mechanized sand mining, coupled with unplanned industrial growth and construction activities, have wreaked havoc on the Kulsi River.

A recent report by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, titled "Status of Ganges River Dolphins in Kulsi River, Assam 2021" highlights the alarming situation. The report notes that the dolphins prefer habitats with a depth greater than 2 meters, whereas the recent survey in Kulsi River indicates an average water depth of less than or equal to one meter.

India holds 90 percent of the global population of the Ganges River dolphin, with Assam contributing 30 percent to the country's dolphin population. A river dolphin expert, monitoring Kulsi's dolphins for the past 17 years, emphasized the urgent need for a strict ban on harmful anthropogenic activities in Kulsi. He stressed that merely restoring water flow is insufficient and called for a specified duration of prohibition to allow the river ecosystem to fully recover.

The Kulsi River, once a thriving habitat for these majestic creatures, is now at a critical juncture, demanding immediate conservation measures to ensure the survival of the endangered Ganges River dolphin and safeguard the well-being of local communities.