In a dual operation showcasing the challenges faced by Uttar Pradesh’s wildlife authorities, over 300 foresters are engaged in the pursuit of man-eating wolves in Bahraich’s Tehsil district. Meanwhile, about 140 kilometres away in Lucknow’s Mohanlalganj town, another urgent rescue mission is unfolding as three dedicated teams of foresters work tirelessly to save seven endangered Gangetic dolphins stranded in the shallow waters of a canal.
Canal Breach Leads to Dolphin Stranding
The dolphin crisis began a few days ago when a breach in a canal in neighbouring Sitapur district led to flooding in over 30 villages. In response, the irrigation department drastically reduced the canal’s water supply to prevent further damage, inadvertently leaving the dolphins stranded. “In response to the breach, the irrigation department reduced the canal’s water supply to minimise further damage,” explained Sitanshu Pandey, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Lucknow.
“However, this reduction in water flow left seven rare Gangetic dolphins stranded in the shallow waters,” Pandey added, highlighting the unforeseen consequences of the water management decision.
Rescue Efforts Mobilised
Upon learning of the stranded dolphins on August 3, the forest department swiftly mobilised its resources. “We immediately rushed to the spot and discovered that there were around seven Gangetic dolphins stranded in the canal,” said Pandey. The primary concern was the immediate safety of the dolphins, which were struggling for oxygen due to the shallow water.
“We quickly contacted the irrigation department and they acted swiftly, releasing an adequate amount of water to raise the canal’s water level. This provided a suitable environment for the dolphins,” Pandey noted. With the immediate crisis averted, the department shifted its focus to planning the dolphins’ safe exit.
Two Rescue Options Considered
Following consultations with experts, two possible rescue strategies were discussed. “The first was to physically rescue the dolphins and release them into another river. However, this carried an estimated mortality rate of around 30 per cent,” Pandey explained. The second, and ultimately preferred, option involved maintaining a steady water supply in the canal, allowing the dolphins to swim back naturally to their main river habitat. “The mortality rate in this second option was minimal, and hence, we opted for the second option,” added Pandey.
Foresters have remained on-site, closely monitoring the dolphins and keeping potential poachers at bay. “Three of our teams are camping at the site to ensure safe passage for the dolphins and to keep a watch on the fluctuating water levels,” Pandey stated. According to officials, the dolphins are expected to flow naturally into the Sharda River, approximately 250 kilometres from Mohanlalganj.
Recurring Stranding Incidents Highlight Ongoing Challenges
This incident is not an isolated one; similar cases have occurred in the past. On May 26, 2024, around a dozen dolphins, including their calves, were rescued from the Sharda canal and redirected to the Ghaghara River. In 2018, a joint rescue operation involving the Turtle Survival Alliance and the forest department saved a seven-foot dolphin from the Indira Canal, though it was later declared dead by veterinary experts.
Protecting India’s National Aquatic Animal
The Gangetic dolphin, designated as India’s national aquatic animal, is critically endangered and found mainly in the Ganga basin. Uttar Pradesh is home to a significant population of these dolphins, with approximately 1,600 of the estimated 2,000 residing in the state’s rivers, including the Ganga, Gerua, Chambal, and Ghaghra.
“Gangetic dolphins are unique freshwater mammals first identified in 1801. Unlike fish, they do not lay eggs, and females give birth to one or two calves every three to four years, reflecting their low fertility rate. Besides, dolphins are also considered bio-indicators as their presence indicates clean river water; they cannot survive in polluted environments,” forest officials said.
Protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these dolphins face numerous threats from habitat loss and pollution. Their inclusion in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) underscores the urgent need for their conservation.
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