The mammal is a distant relative of the whale and the Indian sub-continent has just about 2,000 left in its kitty. The Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) aka Susu is covered under the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act and has been declared an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"It will be a initiative on the lines of dolphin watch centres in countries like Canada and Japan. It will conserve the endangered animal and also give rare experience to people watching the aquatic animal playing in the river. It will also boost tourism," said Gurmeet Singh, senior wildlife warden, National Chambal Sanctuary.

Panchnada, a confluence of Yamuna, Chambal, Kuari, Pahuj and Sindh, in Etawah is considered to be a perfect habitat of Gangetic dolphins and other aqua species.

A wildlife enthusiast told TOI that in the last census, there were around 1,800 dolphins in the country, approximately 70-75 Gangetic dolphins are said to be found in Chambal. Nearly, 16 dolphins were spotted at Panchnada in 2000.

Panchnada is situated 60 km east-south direction of the district headquarters, where Yamuna, Chambal, Kuari, Pahuj and Sindh, intersect each other and also touches the border of Jalaun and Auraiya districts. "A major stretch comprising of deep pool of water provides suitable habitat for dolphins. There are several patches at the bank of Panchnada, which are several feet higher from the normal level of water. It provides an ample opportunity to look over the river and capture live movements of dolphins," he added.

"The Ganges River dolphin, Platanista Gangetica, is one of the most charismatic mega-fauna of the Indian sub-continent. The Ganga river dolphin is distributed in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The total population is estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000 in the entire distribution range, out of which more than 80% is within the Indian territory. It is clear that there is a need of eliciting support from government and people, both for ensuring the maintenance and protection of the Ganga River dolphins. As a flagship species, its conservation requires greater efforts along the lines of that provided to tigers and elephants," said Manoj Misra, director, PEACE Institute Charitable Trust, Delhi.

Other endangered river species such as the soft shell turtle (aspideretes gangeticus), gharial (gavialis gangeticus) and smooth-coated otters (lutra perspicillata) will also benefit from conservation actions that benefit the Ganga river dolphin. Often known as the 'Tiger of the Ganga' the river dolphin is an indicator animal and has the same position in a river ecosystem as a tiger in a forest, its presence indicating a sign of a healthy river ecosystem.

The state forest department along with WWF had conducted a three-day census from October 5 to 7, 2012 from Panchnada down the Ganga river and its tributaries in nearly 2,800 kms of stretch to ascertain the population of Gangetic dolphin. The number of dolphins in UP has gone up to 671 from 600, seven years ago.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) says that in 1980s, there were around 3,500 in the delta region alone.

The dolphins are also poached for oil which is said to be a panacea for arthritis. The poaching is a non-bailable offence and invites imprisonment of three to seven years and a fine of Rs 10,000.

The Gangetic dolphins have been declared as the National Aquatic Animal. This decision was taken in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 5, 2009.

The Gangetic river species is blind and finds its way and prey in the water through echoes.