Webinar on “Enhancing Conservation of River Dolphins” organized

The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Inland Fisheries Society of India and Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum organized a one-day International Webinar on “Enhancing Conservation of River Dolphins” today. The Webinar was organized on the occasion to celebrate the International Freshwater Dolphin Day - 2020.

Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, I.A.S., Special Secretary & Director General, National Mission of Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India inaugurated the Webinar. In his inaugural address, stressed on the pressure of urban population along with pollution load on rivers that is posing challenges not only on the dolphin, but also the other aquatic lives. He emphasized that the Dolphin’s conservation needs good mix of scientific ecological approach with community participation.

Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR discussed about the River Dolphin status in India and South Asia. He outlined the working of the ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata in collaboration with the NMCG ecological restoration of fisheries through ranching and other means. He highlighted the declaration of River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of the country by the Government of India.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata briefed about the International River Dolphin Day and the need of its conservation. He outlined the Institute’s efforts in Ganga fisheries including Hilsa restoration and ranching of IMC in River Ganga.

Dr. Dilip Kumar, Former Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, Maharashtra discussed about the stakeholders’ role in Dolphin Conservation in Rivers. He also stressed on the local community’s participation for its conservation.

Dr. Syed Istiak, Director, Deep Sea Fishes Ltd. & ASAP Healthy Food Ltd., Bangladesh presented his paper on River Dolphin in Bangladesh River.

Dr. Madhav Pantha, Former Director (Fisheries), Nepal presented a case study on Dolphins in the Nepalese rivers.

The experts on dolphins from the various countries, viz., India, Nepal and Bangladesh participated and shared their experiences during the Webinar.

Around 1,000 participants virtually participated in the Webinar.

(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata)