Environmentalists Are WorriedRIVER DOLPHIN OF NORTH-EAST INDIA ON VERGE OF EXTINCTION

SHIB SHANKAR CHATTERJEEThe ‘Gangetic River Dolphin’ commonly known as – “RIVER DOLPHIN” is a biological curiosity.

In North-East India, especially in the state, Assam, this endangered species locally called as ‘ Hihu’, ‘Xihu’, ‘Seho’, ‘Huh’, in the world’s one of the hilly big red river ‘Brahmaputra’ and its 13-numbers of tributary. Scientifically known as Platanista gangetica, species have some 05 species belonging to 03 genera.

The species inhabits the waters of the Indian major rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra. In India, their territory extends from the foot of the Himalayas to the tidal zone. Commonly known as Susu in Gangetic Valley and hihu in the Brahmaputra Valley, the aquatic mammal, Gangetic river dolphin is among the four existent fresh water dolphin species. Apart from India, it is also found in Bangladesh (in Meghna River systems), Nepal and Bhutan. The other three are the Baiji found in the Yangtze River in China, the Bhulan in Indus River of Pakistan and the Buto in the Amazon River of Brazil in South America.

The River Dolphins are specially dispersed in the river. Their concentrations are more in the confluences of the rivers, where the ‘water current’ is maximum and strong. In a word the rising water-level and water current greatly influence their movement and migration. They are also piscivorous and carnivorous. Their body is fusiform. It can grow up to a maximum length of about 7½ to 8½ feet (02.3 metre to 02.6 metre). But its length at birth is 67 centimetres to 70 centimetres. The smallest sexually mature female is specimen 200 centimetres and male 170 centimetres and age at maturity about 10 years, putting on about 90 kilograms to 100 kilograms in weight. In general the females are larger than the males. There are two species of River Dolphins live in the river, one with distinct dorsal fin and the other without it. Dorsally, a fleshy ridge forming a rudimentary fin is seen about mid length of the body excluding the beak. The pectoral flippers are more or less triangular in shape and measure about one-sixth the length of the body. The flippers (fore arms) are broad and paddle like. The dorsal fin is short but the caudal fluke is well developed.

They have elongated beak. The female has an upturned beak and the male have straight beak. The number of teeth may vary from 27 to 32 on each side of each (upper and lower) jaw, there being a slightly higher count in the lower than in the upper jaw.

The River Dolphin is a aquatic mammal. They have no gills like fishes and therefore can not breathe the oxygen dissolved in water. They breathe oxygen (O2) from the air with lungs. Without oxygen they cannot live. So, they have to come to the surface for breathing every 30 seconds to 40 seconds (approximately) and thus in 01 (one) hour they have to surface about 100 times. But when disturbed they remained underneath for more time. They are found to move both clockwise and anti-clockwise. Water temperature has no recognizable effect on their movement.

River Dolphins are found both in the rivers and the sea. The ‘Sea Dolphin’ has eyes; where as River Dolphin is blind. To compensate for their vision, they have developed their ‘Sound’ (which is called ‘Sonar System’ or ‘Sonar Sense’). They produce ultrasonic sound up to more than 02,00,000 hertz.

In natural population of the male and the female sex ratio of River Dolphin is 01:01. The calving season is observed to be from the month of March to May. Their gestation period is to be 08 to 09 months. But it has been noticed that the one female in its life time gives birth to about 05 to 06 or rarely 07 to 08 young or calves and one or rarely 02 young are born between the months of April to July. The potential reproductive period of the said class is about 20 years.

The River Dolphin is not strictly a bottom feeder. It feeds both by day and night. The female River Dolphin feed their young ones with milk from the mammary glands located near its anus. Their food composes of small fishes, eel (locally called Kuchiya Machh) and loaches (locally called Botia Machh) besides good amount of shrimps (that is, prawns). Their food requirement is about 10% (per cent) of the body weight. About 40% (per cent) to 50% (per cent) of the body weight is ‘oil’ or ‘Fat’. The life expectancy is about 24 to 25 years and the life span of the species was considered to be about 35 years.

Besides the uses of its parts, the behaviour of River Dolphins helps to predict rain, flood and availability of fish. Presence of the bird ‘River turn’ indicates their population in the area. They are also seen in the tidal limits, but don’t enter into the sea. Although, the River Dolphin is found in small groups in certain parts of the rivers, it appears to be essentially non-gregarious.

In North-East India, the River Dolphin is found mainly in the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, which are their original residential area. The fragmentation distribution system or the population status of the River Dolphin are the entire stretch or the river Brahmaputra traversing in North-East India; specially in Assam from Saikhowaghat (27° 51’44” North and 95° 39’12” East) in the upper most gradient down to South Salmara (25° 53’13” North and 90° 14’ 16” East) at the lower reaches. Specially three sectors with the respective ‘Trize Zones’ identified along the entire courses of the river were : Sector-I, Sector-II and Sector-III, Sector-I are Saikhowaghat to Silghat (trize zones; Saikhowaghat, Dibrugarh, Dikhowmukh, Nimatighat and Silghat), Sector-II are Silghat to Guwahati (trize zones : Tezpur, Singri, Kharupetia, Kharua and

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Guwahati) and lastly Sector-III are Guwahati to South-Salmara (trize zones : Garigaon, Kukurmara, Baghbar, Pancharatna, Kharmuja, Chunari, Jamadarhat, Fakirganj and South Salmara). Of them, their population more localised at Dikhowmukh in Sector-I, Singri and Tezpur in Sector-II and Pancharatna, Baghbar and South-Salmara in Sector-III. Their total population in Brahmaputra river is around 01,300.

Circa 01,326 specimens of River Dolphin has been estimated in the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries with sector wise distribution as 201 in Sector-I, 220 in Sector-II and 905 in Sector-III.

While another report claims, “It is also noted that the river Brahmaputra is divided into 06-numbers of segments in terms of dolphin habitat — from the Dhubri-Manas sector (under Indian Assam State’s Dhubri and Barpeta Districts) comprising India-Bangladesh International Border to Burhidihing-Sadyia sector (under Indian Assam State’s Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts) comprising Indian Interstate Border between Assam State and Arunachal Pradesh. But, most of the time, this freshwater mammals are seen in the Indian Assam State’s – (South Salmara) Dhubri district, (Pancharatna) Goalpara district, (Kulsi) Kamrup district and (Guijan) Tinsukia district”.

Moreover, this critically endangered species (xihu) is very dear to the people, which are also found in the others Indian States, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal (WB), Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

According to recent survey, there are 200-numbers of river dolphins in Brahmaputra and its tributaries like – Subansiri River (in Lakhimpur District of the India State, Assam) and Kulsi River in the aforesaid state. The dolphin population in all these sectors has recorded a steady decline — from 268-numbers in the year, 1993 to 198-numbers in the year, 2002, while in the year, 2005, only the Dhubri-Manas stretch was surveyed, and just five dolphins were sighted against 17-numbers in the year, 2002.

In the state, Assam, about 60-numbers to 70-numbers killings are made annually in the river Brahmaputra by the fisher-men, who are locally known as – Bin community (that is, the entangled in their fishing-nets and can’t come to the surface to breath and die a painful death). In North-East India, especially in Assam, River Dolphin killing occurs especially from Guwahati to South-Salmara (that is, Garigaon, Kukurmara, Baghbar, Pancharatna, Kharmuia, Chunari, Jamadarhat, Fakirganj and South-Salmara). Here, also juveniles are found to die in higher numbers. If the above same rate of killings continues, Dolphins in Brahmaputra River will extinct within about another 20 to 25 years or so.

The River Dolphin was found in North-East India, especially in Assam in large numbers before a few years. But now their number has come down considerably due to various human and non-human activities.

It is estimated that, more than 70% (per cent) to 75% (per cent) Dolphins are killed annually in the river Brahmaputra throughout its range from Saikhowaghat (under Tinsukia district of Upper Assam Sector) to South-Salmara-ghat (under Dhubri district of Lower Assam Sector) of North-East India.

The following reasons are the main threat of life of River Dolphin and the decline their population :

(a) Heavy siltation, water removal, damming or dams or dikes or barrages, sluice-gates, fishing activities, poaching and vessel traffic (especially Engine Fit Country Boat-EFCB, locally known as shallow or Bhutbhuti) are considered to be causes for the decline in their populations and the reason for deaths.

(b) Environmental degradation seems to be major causes of their dwindling numbers (that is, population).(c) It has also advocated that the drainage system of river Brahmaputra with more thrust on River

Dolphin’s population status.(d) The major threat of their life is that they are killed largely for their oil, which is used as medicine for

rheumatic pain or believed to be a cure for rheumatism, et cetera. (e) To prepare the bait, intestines of fish, Catfishes, Clupisoma garuah (locally called Gharuah),

Schielbids fishes get attracted by the smell of River Dolphin oil. Bihari and Bangladeshi fishermen are mainly using this oil to catch fish. It is also noted that the River Dolphins oil was found in open market for sale at the rate of Rs. 150 to Rs. 250 per litre.

(f) Another threat of their life is that, they are killed for their meat also. The River Dolphin’s meat was found in open market for sale at the rate of Rs. 25 to Rs. 50 per kilogram. In Upper Assam, River Dolphin killing occur or happen especially Saikhowaghat, Dibrugarh, Dikhowmukh, Nimatighat and Silghat, primarily for its meat.

(g) The extraction of sand from river bed is one of the major threats to River Dolphin’s population growth.

(h) Industrial effluents, especially the discharge of fertilizers, petrochemicals by products of tanneries and pulp and paper – mills, distilleries and thermal power plants, might well have adverse effects on this aquatic (that is, River Dolphin) life.

(i) In the river Brahmaputra and it’s tributaries, the rampant fishing leads to the scarcity of small fishes (which are the River Dolphin’s basic food : Chela laubuca - known as Chela, Puntius sophore - known as Shwarputhi, Puntius ticto - known as Puthi, Colisa fasciata - known as Khailsha,

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Glassogobius giuris – known as Balia, Mastacembalus pancalus – known as Baim, Ompak sp – known as Pabda, Bagarius bagarius – known as Bagari et cetera) is the threat of their life.

(j) Biotic interference is the main threat of fresh water River Dolphin’s riverine habitat. During a survey in the river Brahmaputra, there have also been increase different types of nets.Especially the monofilament gillnets are used by ‘migrant fisherman’ from Bangladesh (the then EastPakistan, that is, East-Bengal, known as Purba Banga or Purba Bangla). Some of the fishing centres in the river Brahmaputra are Dhubri, Fakirganj, Jogighopa, Goalpara, Dolgoma, Nagarberra, Kukurmara, Palasain, Guwahati, Biswanath, Behali, Dhansirimukh, Nimatighat, Disangmukk,Dikhowmukh, Dihingmukh, Dibrugarh, Saikhowaghat et cetera, where nearly 02,000 to 02,500gillnets are operated.

(k) Food scarcity owing to excessive fishing and hydropower projects of various scales has already confounded the dolphin habitats.

(l) Apart from above all, the number of the river dolphin plummeted drastically — thanks to illegalcatching, habitat shrinkage and excessive pollution.

River Dolphins are unique and they play an important role in the ‘River’s Ecosystem’. Today, the River Dolphin of the river (Ganges and) Brahmaputra are in great peril. They can be saved, if concrete efforts are made immediately. The chief cause of the survival of the species rests, finally in the hands of fishermen, who are unfortunately, poor and illiterate and gave them an alternate means of livelihood. Based on the letters and complains filed by the Dolphin Protection Committee (DPC) and Conservation of Nature Trust (CNT) the Government of Assam has issued an order to all the District Administrators to take action against any killing the River Dolphins or causing death to them. Presently, the River Dolphins are included in Schedule Number-I (one) of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (IWPA), 1972. According to this act, if anyone is found killing them or possessing any part of it can be imprisoned for 01 year to 06 year and fined not less than Rs. 05,000 to Rs. 06,000. The observers also research or discuss the international laws like Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), RAMSAR convention, World Heritage convention, Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) and the National laws of India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Indian states laws of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and Pakistan are also summarized. Suggestions and recommendations are made to make the existing laws more efficient. This fresh water Dolphin has been classified as an endangered species by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in January, 1993 in their 19th Session of General Assembly. This species is recommended to be brought under “Rare” category, particularly in the Indian sub-continent. Although, it heads IUCN list of ‘vulnerable’ cetacean species, knowledgeable quarters in (Bangladesh) the Indian sub-continent already list it as an ‘endangered’ one.

When present in large numbers, the river dolphin, which is at the apex of the aquatic food chain, indicates a healthy ecosystem. The District Administrators of Dhubri, Goalpara and Jorhat of the Indian state, Assam issued a notification that the River Dolphins and other endangered animals should not be brought to the local fish market.

The causes may be put forward for the preservation of River Dolphin :

(1) During monsoon the River Dolphin descends to the tidal waters and is often taken in the different types of fishing nets. Such as : ‘Gillnets’ (locally called Fanshijal, Current net-Cast net), ‘Mosquito net’ (locally known as Masharijal), fine nylon ‘current net’ (locally called Kapdajal), ‘Neo-net’, ‘Dip net’ (locally called Dhekijal), ‘Stalk net’ (locally known as Banjal), ‘Moving-cast net’ (locally called Othaljal), ‘Drag-net’, large-encircling-seine nets (locally known as Berajal), harpoons et cetera should be banned.

(2) Banning the use or Dolphin’s oil as fish fait, burning lamps and for other purposes.(3) Popularise ‘Shark Liver Oil’ or ‘Fish Oil’ as an alternative to the River Dolphin oil as bait for

specially ‘Neria fish’ or scientifically known as Clupisoma garua, locally called Gharua fish. Because, a section of fishermen as the oil oozing out of their decomposed blubbers is used to attract a variety of catfishes, ‘Wallago attu’ (locally called Boal) also.

(4) To reduce the siltation and the soil erosion including various types of river pollution. (5) Not to establish any industry on the bank of the river (especially Brahmaputra and its tributaries).(6) Dolphins are captured by a specialised impelling gear locally called Pusha also must be banned.(7) Medicinal uses like common cold or stomach disorders et cetera of River Dolphin’s oil should be

discouraged and alternative medicines should be popularised.(8) Not to extract sand from ‘River-Bed’ for it sometime create hazards for their living. (9) In North-East India, ‘Kulsi River’ and lower reaches of ‘Subansiri River’ of Assam declare as ‘River

Dolphin Sanctuary’ and ‘Eco-tourism Centre’ as early as possible.

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(10) Creation of mass awareness with more scientific studies among the ‘Fisherman’ and from School children to general public about the endangered status of River Dolphin.

(11) To start fishery system in the riverines, this has inter-relation with River Dolphins and help to increase their numbers.

(12) To check the de-forestation and river erosion.Xihus surfacing intermittently from the deep waters to breathe before quickly disappearing again was

a common sight earlier. But, over the years, things have changed and their sightings have become rare. Around 268-numbers of critically-endangered species, xihus are fighting a battle for survival in the rivers of the state, Assam and their number has come down drastically because of indiscriminate hunting and pollution.

“Even, lack of public awareness is one of the reasons for fast disappearing Gangetic river dolphin in the rivers of eastern India”, said S. P. Bairagi of Dolphin Foundation organization.

Therefore, though, the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature India adopted the river dolphin as a species of special concern and initiated the Gangetic River Dolphin Conservation Programme in the year, 1997 and the Indian Assam State Government (IASG) on 05th June, 2008 declared the endangered species, Gangetic river dolphin as the ‘Assam State Aquatic Animal’, which was a longstanding demand of the various environmentalist groups across the world. But, if the killing of the River Dolphin is not checked immediately it will extinct within next 10 years.

(Former BBC, The Statesman, The Times of India & Hindustan Times & The Telegraph, AP, AFP & PTI Contributor-cum-Photographer of Northeast India/Currently working with CNN-IBN and specialises in Northeast India Affairs)

References :a) Horizon – Threats And Steps For Preservation (River Dolphins) by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, The Assam Tribune, Page-01, dated 13th December, 1997.b) Northeast Live – North East River Dolphins Faced With Extinction by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, Hindustan Times, Page-01, dated 30th June, 2001.c) Earth Watch – Save River Dolphin by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, Northeast Sun, Page-32, dated 01st July-14th July, 2001.d) Northeast Page – River Dolphins On The Verge Of Extinction by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, The Statesman, Page-07, dated 04th January, 2003.e) India Declares Endangered River Dolphin A National Aquatic Animal by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, News Blaze, international daily newswire of California, United States Of America (USA), dated 13th October, 2009.f) Northeast Page – River Dolphins Of North-East India On The Verge Of Extinction by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, Assam Chronicle, Newswire magazine, London, dated 26th November, 2009.g) Rare Species Faces Life Threat In India by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, Asia Times, Newswire magazine, ASIA TIMES, Asia Times Online (Holdings) Limited, Hong Kong, dated Dated 29th March, 2010.

Indian Assam State Aquatic Animal – River Dolphin On The Verge Of ExtinctionDeclare Kulshi River As A River Dolphin Sanctuary : Environmentalists

RIVER DOLPHIN HABITAT UNDER THREAT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIESSHIB SHANKAR CHATTERJEE

Kulshi is one of the tributaries of the ‘Brahmaputra’ in North-East India, rises from the hills of the State Meghalaya. It is an excellent home for the fresh water River Dolphins and their young ones. This tributary is about 80 kilometres in length and flows down through the lower part of Assam’s Kamrup district about 35 kilometres to 40 kilometres of the capital of Assam, Dispur, which crosses the National Highway Number – 37.

The width of this Kulshi river is about 10 metres to 30 metres, which an ideal habitat of River Dolphin. Many River Dolphins live here with calves and forage fishes. In winter and spring seasons that is, during dry months the depth of this river is about 40 centimetres, while 01.50 metre in the rainy season. About 200 to 225 species are reported so far from the river Brahmaputra, this river has 45 to 50 species of fishes, 04 to 05 species of prawn and 02 species of turtle (that is, Trionyx hurum and Trionyx gangetics ).

Of the causes of the destruction of this River Dolphins habitat are land-erosion, sand-extraction and fishing et cetera. This takes place especially at the confluence of this river’s canals area. Land-erosion and sand-extraction are made by the ‘contractors’ or ‘builders’ at the leases of the Government of Assam (India). These contractors take away more than 12,000 metric-tons to 15,000 metric-tons sand annually from this

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river, causes silting of the River Dolphin’s habitat. As a result of this, the habitat of the Dolphins goes damaged due to the blocking of ‘Sunlight’ and prevention of photosynthesis.

The Non Governmental Organization (NGO)s or know as green groups of eastern India, like – Ford Foundation, Gramya Arthanitik Bikas Kendra, Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, Aaranyak, and others, who’re focusing on the river dolphins claimed, “Gangetic dolphins fall prey not only to poachers but also to unwitting fishermen. To prevent such accidental killings, the Government of India will impart precautionary knowledge among fishermen on the use of fishing gear. It will also disseminate information on conservation and familiarise local communities with the habits of the animals and the threats — both human and natural — posed to them.

TABLE

At A GlanceRiver Dolphin Population In Kulshi River

Serial Number

Name Year - 1992 Year - 1993 Year - 1994 Year - 1995

A. Calves 05 03 03 02B. Adolescents 08 08 07 06C. Adults 11 06 04 04

Grand Total 24 17 14 12 Source : River Dolphin Protection Committee (India)

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