Q. Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? (UPSC Prelims 2015)
Answer:
Gangetic dolphin
Notes: The correct answer is
[C] Gangetic dolphin. The
Ganges River Dolphin (
Platanista gangetica) was officially declared the
National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009. This decision was taken during the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) to raise awareness for its conservation and to serve as an indicator of the health of the religious and ecological lifeline of India—the River Ganga.
- Gangetic Dolphin (Option C – Correct): It is a freshwater dolphin found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Blind by Nature: It is essentially blind and hunts using echolocation (ultrasonic sounds). It is locally known as 'Susu' due to the sound it makes while breathing.
- Conservation Status: It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Project Dolphin: Launched by the Government of India in 2020 (on the lines of Project Tiger) to conserve both riverine and oceanic dolphins.
Analysis of Other Options:- Saltwater Crocodile (Option A): Found primarily in the Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha) and the Sundarbans. It is the largest living reptile but is not a national symbol.
- Olive Ridley Turtle (Option B): Famous for their mass nesting (Arribada) on the Odisha coast (Gahirmatha). While ecologically vital, they are not the national aquatic animal.
- Gharial (Option D): A fish-eating crocodile with a long, narrow snout, primarily found in the Chambal River. It is Critically Endangered but not a national emblem.
The presence of the Gangetic Dolphin is a sign of a healthy ecosystem because they can only survive in pure and fresh water.