the conservation action plan the ganges river dolphin - IUCN SSC ...

Chapter 6ACTIONS FOR CONSERVATION OFTHE GANGES RIVER DOLPHINAction 1. Initiating state-wise GangesDolphin Population Status Surveys andThreat AssessmentStatus surveys need to be conductedsimultaneously in identified critical and gapareas at least twice a year depending uponlocal conditions for a minimum period ofthree consecutive years. This will help in thepreparation of state-wise national GangesRiver dolphin population status reports.The Chief Wildlife Wardens of each stateshould consult experts to conduct surveysusing standardised survey methods, detailedin Appendix D. Local scientists shouldconduct the initial surveys, aided by expertsand wildlife officials. This will help in thepreparation of a Ganges River DolphinStatus ReportAction: State Chief Wildlife Wardens;Timeframe: ImmediateEstimated Budget: Fifty crore rupeesAction 2. Setting up of Protected Areas forthe Ganges River dolphinBased on the results of the status survey andidentification of river stretches that supportbreeding populations of the Ganges Riverdolphin, states need to be encouraged topropose manageable Protected/ConservationAreas under the provisions of the Wildlife(Protection) Act (1972) taking localstakeholders into confidence. The ChiefWildlife Wardens of states in the GangesRiver dolphin distribution range may seekthe aid of professional institutions andorganisations for the development of suchproposals.The establishment of Trans-boundaryProtected Areas for Ganges River dolphinsmay also be considered between India, Nepaland Bangladesh.Action: Chief Wildlife Warden and MoEFTimeframe: ImmediateEstimated Budget: Five crore rupeesAction 3. Capacity Building for GangesRiver Dolphin Conservation andManagementEven though the endangered river dolphinsare found in the Ganges and Brahmaputrabasin, there have been few comprehensiveresearch programs and status surveys thatcover the entire distribution range.Universities and other institutions in Indianeed to be supported to develop programmesto study Dolphins and their habitatconditions. In addition to establishingdedicated Centres in Ganges Basin forDolphin research, identified institutions mayneed to be supported for conducting trainingprogramme for frontline protection staff aswell as university researchers and teachingstaff on research methodologies. Some ofthe identified organisations who could takeup such capacity building programmes invarious regions are WWF-India, WildlifeInstitute of India, and PatnaUniversity/Central University of Bihar. TheMoEF may also need to initiate a NationalDolphin Conservation Project on the lines ofProject Tiger and Project Elephant to ensurecontinuous funding support for capacitybuilding and other conservation efforts.System has to be developed for guiding andadopting the research scholars by the peersfor encouragement of the guided researchand development activities on Ganges Riverdolphin.Action: MoEFTimeframe: ImmediateEstimated Budget: Ten crore rupeesAction 4. Minimising Fisheries Interfaceand Incidental Capture of River DolphinsThere is a serious need to review the existingfisheries practices, legislations and Acts. Also24