Dolphin found dead on state stretch of Ganga
Sahebgunj division of Jharkhand forest has moved a proposal to the state forest department for setting up its own Dolphin sanctuary
We have proposed to declare the entire 83km-long stretch as a dolphin sanctuary. Once declared, we will be able to monitor the aquatic animals in the river.
MANISH TIWARY, Sahebgunj divisional forest officer
RANCHI: A dolphin was found dead on Jharkhand stretch of Ganga river in Sahebgunj district, forest officials said on Tuesday. The dolphin reportedly died due to suffocation after being trapped in a fishing net.
Sahebgunj divisional forest officer (DFO) Manish Tiwary said, “Prime facie, it appears that the dolphin died from being trapped in a fishing net, as there is a mark of net on its face. However, the body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Exact cause of the death would be known once the report arrives.”
Dolphins used to be found in abundance on the 83km-long Ganga stretch in Sahebgunj, connecting Bihar and West Bengal. Earlier, studies suggest that the stretch had over 60 dolphins. However, the count has now dropped to an estimated 25-40, officials said. In absence of any regulation, poaching and unregulated fishing has posed a threat to dolphins on the stretch.
However, Sahebgunj division of Jharkhand forest has moved a proposal to the state forest department for setting up its own Dolphin sanctuary. If the government accepts the proposal, this could be the second reserve in the country after Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary was declared in 1991 over a stretch of 50km from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon in Bihar. However, there is no protection provided to the species post the Bihar border.
“We have proposed to declare the entire 83km stretch in Jharkhand as a dolphin sanctuary. Once declared, we will be able to monitor the aquatic animals in the river. To check poaching and ensure security to the animals, patrolling on boat will also be introduced, which will also promote tourism,” said Tiwary said.
Besides, a conservation plan for endangered birds such as lesser adjutant and rare animals like otter and crocodiles have also been proposed in the proposal.
RANCHI: Jharkhand's Covid-19 tally rose to 119,055 on Tuesday as 38 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
The state's coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 1,078 as no fresh fatality was reported, he said.
East Singhbhum district reported the highest number of new cases at 16, followed by Ranchi (12).
Jharkhand now has 438 active cases, while 1,17,539 people have recovered from the disease so far.
The state has tested 7,978 samples for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours.
A total of 1,23,754 health workers have so far been vaccinated in the state, including 16,756 on Monday, the official added.