India tags a Ganges River Dolphin for the first time, in Assam
The first-ever Ganges River Dolphin was satellite-tagged in Assam on 18 December 2024 under Project Dolphin.
Summary
The first-ever Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was tagged in Assam on 18 December 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said. The exercise was implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak, with funding from the National CAMPA Authority. A healthy male dolphin was tagged and released under veterinary care. The ministry said this was the first tagging not only in India but also for the species, and a significant advance of Project Dolphin. Satellite tagging will help understand the seasonal and migratory patterns, range, distribution and habitat use of India's National Aquatic Animal.
Key facts
- Date
- 18 December 2024
- Species
- Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), India's National Aquatic Animal
- Implemented by
- Wildlife Institute of India with Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak
- Funding
- National CAMPA Authority
- Animal tagged
- A healthy male dolphin, tagged and released
- Significance
- First tagging in India and for the species; part of Project Dolphin
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In which state was the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin tagged in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Assam
PIB (MoEFCC): the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin was tagged in Assam on 18 December 2024.
Which institution implemented the first Ganges River Dolphin tagging along with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak?
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Correct answer: A — Wildlife Institute of India
PIB (MoEFCC): the tagging was implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak, with National CAMPA funding.
Consider the following statements about the Ganges River Dolphin tagging of December 2024: 1. It was funded by the National CAMPA Authority. 2. A female dolphin was tagged. 3. It was described as the first tagging for the species. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB (MoEFCC): the project was funded by the National CAMPA Authority and was the first tagging not only in India but also for the species. A healthy male, not female, dolphin was tagged, so statement 2 is wrong.