The vanishing whistle of the river: saving India's Gangetic river dolphin

India is a land of rivers. From the icy Himalayan streams to the slow meanders of the Indo-Gangetic plains, rivers have nurtured civilizations, economies, and cultures for millennia.

- DR SINGARAM KULANDAIVEL

Among these, the Ganga stands out-not only as a lifeline to more than 500 million people, but also as a pulsating artery of biodiversity. Its alluvial plains form one of the most fertile regions in the world, sustaining agriculture, fisheries, and countless settlements.

Hidden within these muddy currents lives a creature that is both ancient and fragile: the Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica). Known locally as susu, it has survived in these waters for millions of years, blind but guided by the rhythm of sound. Today, it is India's National Aquatic Animal and a global symbol of freshwater ecosystem health. Yet, like the river itself, the dolphin is under siege.

Distribution and Populations: India's Aquatic Heritage

The Gangetic River Dolphin is endemic to South Asia, confined to the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems. In India, it inhabits stretches of rivers across seven states-Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.