National Aquatic Animal

             On 5 October, 2009, Government has declared “Dolphin” (Platanista Gangetica) as the National Aquatic Animal.  It represents the health of the rivers particularly the Ganga.

            River Dolphins are solitary creatures and females tend to be larger than males .  They are locally known as susu, because of the noise it makes while breathing .  This species inhabits parts of the Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra rivers in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

             River dolphin is a critically endangered species in India and therefore ,has been included in the Schedule I for the Wildlife (Protection ) Act, 1972. The main reasons for decline in population of the species are poaching and habitat degradation due to declining flow, heavy siltation, construction of barrages causing physical barrier for this migratory species.