Centre's inland waterways posing threat for endangered Gangetic Dolphins

The inland waterways are posing a major threat to the Gangetic dolphins, alleges Samir Kumar Sinha. He said that the number of Dolphins have been decreasing in the Gandak river.

New Delhi: The proposed inland waterways number 37 of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has been posing a big threat for the endangered Gangetic dolphins in Bihar.

The Ministry of Shipping and Waterways has proposed to build the Inland Waterways number 37 over the Gandak river flowing through Bihar. This proposal has imposed a big danger for this national aquatic animal.

"Dredging will be done for deeper channel for the Inland Waterways number 37 over the Gandak river which will pose a big threat for the endangered Gangetic dolphins," said Samir Kumar Sinha, deputy director and division head (species recovery and protected area recovery) of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).In an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat, Sinha said that the matter has already been taken up by the Government of Bihar to the Centre."Bihar Government has entrusted us for a survey over Gangetic dolphins in Gandak and Ghaghra river in Bihar," said Sinha.He said that the number of Dolphins have been decreasing in the Gandak river.The WTI officials further said that barrage over Gandak river and electrofishing are also posing as big threats for this endangered species.

The Government of India, on the other hand, has been working to develop inland waterways as an alternative mode of transport in the country, which is cleaner and cheaper.