GANGETIC DOLPHIN (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

News-CRUX-10     20th January 2024        
QEP Pocket Notes

Context: Recently, a fisherman in Odisha's Balasore district made a noteworthy discovery when he captured a rare and endangered Gangetic dolphin in the Jalaka river.


Gangetic Dolphin

  • About: The Gangetic Dolphin, is a freshwater species and among the rare river dolphins globally.
  • Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica.
  • Also known as: “SUSU” or Sisu.
  • Distribution: It resides in the river systems of Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu, spanning Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
  • Other Name: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, or South Asian River Dolphin.
  • Honour: India's National Aquatic Animal.
  • Conservation Status

oIUCN: Endangered

oWildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule-I 

oCITES: Appendix I

QEP Pocket Notes