DOLPHIN-National Aquarian Animal

The Centre has declared Ganga dolphin, a national aquarian animal, in order to save the rare freshwater species from becoming extinct.
"Like we have tiger as a national animal and peacock as a national bird, we have declared dolphins as a national aquatic animal as it represents the health of the rivers, particularly Ganga in the country," Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh told media persons.
He said the decision was taken at the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to streamline steps to rejuvenate the river Ganga.The meeting was attended by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhriyal, his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar and representatives of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh at the PM's residence. Union Minister Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh and deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia were also present. The proposal to this effect was made in the meeting by the Bihar Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar. It was pointed out by him that by declaring dolphins as a national aquatic animal, the government was not only ensuring the survival of the species which are endemic to river Ganga but also seeking cleansing of the river.
"Since the river dolphin is at the apex of the aquatic food chain, its presence in adequate numbers symbolizes greater bio diversity in the river system," Jairam Ramesh told reporters. "We will soon work out details for the Project Dolphins and steps to be taken under it to protect the species," he added.
Facing grave threats due to excessive pollution in Ganga and poaching, there are less than 2,000 dolphins left in the country, prompting the International Conservation Union (IUCN), a forum of conservationists, NGOs and government agencies, to categorize it as an endangered species.
The Ganges River Dolphin is an endemic species of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river systems, extending from the foot of the Himalayas to the tidal zone in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
It has been included in the Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.