Context:
11 nations from Asia and South America have just ratified a landmark document known as the “Global Declaration for River Dolphins.”
About Global Declaration for River Dolphins:
- Signed by – Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru and Venezuela.
- Aim –
- Halt and reverse the decline of all river dolphin species in both Asia and South America.
- Scale up collective efforts to safeguard remaining river dolphin species by developing and funding measures to eradicate gillnets, reduce pollution, expand research, and increase protected areas.
- Enhance the health of rivers, which are the lifeblood of many communities and economies as well as sustaining critical ecosystems from rainforests to deltas.
- 8 pillars of the Declaration –
- Creating a network of protected areas.
- Enhancing management of river dolphin sites.
- Expanding research and monitoring.
- Engaging local communities and Indigenous Peoples.
- Eradicating unsustainable fishing practices.
- Improving water quality and quantity.
- Celebrating World River Dolphin Day to raise awareness.
- Increasing resource allocation and partnerships.
River Dolphins are top predators in some of the world’s greatest river systems and important indicators of river’s health. Since 1980s, their population numbers have reduced by 73 percent.
Surviving species of River Dolphin:
- Amazon (aka pink river dolphin or boto) lives only in freshwater.
- Ganges (commonly known as susu) found mainly in Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in India and Bangladesh.
- Indus (aka bhulan) found in Pakistan and River Beas, a tributary of Indus River in Punjab.
- Irrawaddy found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three river i.e. Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and Mekong.
- Tucuxi freshwater dolphin species that lives in Amazon River system in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
- Yangtze finless porpoise: Only freshwater porpoise in world and only found in Yangtze River (longest river in Asia).
Except Yangtze River Dolphins (Critically Endangered), all other 5 species of river dolphins are classified as Endangered.
Chinese river dolphin, also known as baiji, was officially declared extinct in 2007, becoming the 7th river dolphin species to disappear.
Source: WWF
Previous Year Question
Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?
1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4. Use of synthetic fertilisers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
