Seismic survery may spell doom for river dolphins

The Assam Tribune , Thursday, December 25, 2008
Correspondent : Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 24 – Already facing various threats, the Gangetic dolphin population in the state could face more dangers with the start of seismic survey of the Brahmaputra. Experts fear that activities carried under the seismic survey could seriously harm the small population found in the river.

“The seismic survey in the Brahmaputra river bed is a potential threat for these dolphins, which are extremely rare and therefore enjoy protected status,” said Wakid Abdul of the conservation group Aaranyak.

Abdul who has carried out studies about the status of the Gangetic dolphin in Assam, revealed that a population of around 212 was recorded in the Brahmaputra river, 29 in Kulsi River and 23 in Subansiri River. “With a population already so small, the actual need is in their conservation not for any new threat,” he said.

There is sufficient data to suggest that marine cetaceans have been affected by seismic surveys in different parts of the world.

In Assam, the biggest threat for the Gangetic dolphin in Brahmaputra so far has been the accidental killing through gill net entangling. Poaching for dolphin oil is another hindrance while habitat degradation and over-fishing are the other threats that these dolphins have been facing.

The proposed hydro projects in the upstream of the tributaries have been identified as another major threat. Nobody knows for certain how the species would be affected once mega dams are erected in the higher courses of the rivers, which contribute waters to the Brahmaputra.

Wakid believes that the increase in dolphin number is very important from conservation point of view. Over the last three decades the species has been declining very rapidly in its entire distribution range in the world. However, due to initiatives in monitoring the dolphins and protecting their habitats in Brahmaputra river system within Assam by the Gangetic Dolphin Conservation and Research Programme of Aaranyak and the State Forest Department, the conservation atmosphere has improved.

He stated that at present 40 identified dolphin habitats across the Brahmaputra valley have been monitored by the programme through its Dolphin Conservation Network, in which trained community youths in association with State Forest Department are working to protect the species and their habitats. C-NES is another organization undertaking community-based efforts for the conservation of the species.

 
SOURCE : Thursday, 25 December 2008
 


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