Representatives from the 14 countries that are home to the world’s populations of river dolphins, came together on October 23 and 24, 2023 for the Global Declaration of River Dolphins and their Rivers convening. Eleven countries signed a first-of-its-kind global declaration for the protection of river dolphins by 2030.
What is the aim of Global Declaration of River Dolphins?
These countries committed to creating transboundary research-driven solutions and recommendations for mitigating threats facing river dolphins and the formation of a global coalition made up of NGOs, scientific research institutions, and foundations to implement the declaration and focus on securing the long-term future of river dolphins, their river habitats, and the communities who depend on those rivers.
Why such a declaration?
The recent devastating news of over 150 (and counting) dolphins found dead in the Amazon in Lake Tefé, Brazil and a record drought from a historic El Niño season has shed new light on the urgent need for international collaboration to prevent further decline of the river dolphin population in the Amazon and across the world.
After the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin (Baiji), which was last sighted in 2002, there are only five existing species of river dolphins left in the world today, and they are all endangered or critically endangered.
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.
What are the eight pillars of the Global Declaration of River Dolphins?
֍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
What are the surviving species of River Dolphin?
After the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin (Baiji), which was last sighted in 2002, there are only five existing species of river dolphins left in the world today.
Amazon (also known as pink river dolphin or boto) lives only in freshwater.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Ganges (commonly known as susu) found mainly in Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in India and Bangladesh.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Indus (also known as bhulan) found in Pakistan and River Beas, a tributary of Indus River in Punjab.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Irrawaddy found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three river i.e. Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo), Mekong and Chilka lake (India).
IUCN Status: Endangered
Tucuxi freshwater dolphin species that lives in Amazon River system in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Yangtze finless porpoise only freshwater porpoise in world and only found in Yangtze River (longest river in Asia). – possibly extinct
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? UPSC 2015
(a) Saltwater crocodile
(b) Olive ridley turtle
(c) Gangetic dolphin
(d) Gharial
(c)
QUES . Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins? UPSC 2014
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 fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(c)
