Historic Satellite Tagging of Ganges River Dolphin in Assam
| Summary/Static | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in the news? | Historic Dolphin Tagging Initiative in Assam |
| Event | First-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin |
| Significance | - First instance of tagging for the species globally - Major milestone under Project Dolphin |
| Collaborating Organizations | - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) - Wildlife Institute of India (WII) - Assam Forest Department - Aaranyak |
| Funding Authority | National CAMPA Authority |
| Objective | - Study habitat needs, seasonal and migratory patterns, and home-range dynamics - Fill knowledge gaps for evidence-based conservation |
| Technology Used | Lightweight satellite tags compatible with Argos systems |
| Species Details | - National Aquatic Animal of India - Apex predator in river ecosystems - Relies on echolocation due to near blindness |
| Ecological Importance | - Umbrella species for river ecosystems - Ensures ecological balance and supports aquatic biodiversity |
| Challenges | - Declining population due to habitat fragmentation - Elusive behavior (brief surfacing time of 5-30 seconds) |
| Future Plans | - Expand tagging to other states within the species' range - Develop a comprehensive conservation action plan under Project Dolphin |