From Saurav Borah
BARPETA: A joint effort to protect and conserve the endangered Ganges river dolphin (platanista gangetica) – locally called xihu – is gaining steam at Nakhanda here, believed to be the fourth home for the elusive species in Assam.
River dolphins, which also happen to be the state aquatic animal of Assam, were recently sighted in large numbers at Nakhanda, which is the confluence point of Pohumara and Kaldiya rivers in Barpeta district, prompting the formation of a conservation committee comprising wildlife activists and concerned citizens.
The district administration and the forest department have lent support to the initiative. The sighting of the river dolphins were first brought to the notice of the forest department and district administration by David Das, a local conservationist and wildlife photographer.
“Over the past month we have been creating awareness about the importance of protecting the species even as the district administration has warned residents against any negligence which may cause harm to the river dolphins. As a matter of fact, our pleas and regular efforts to sensitise residents have bore fruit with the recent rescue of a dolphin calf which suffered mild injuries after being entangled in a fishing net,” Das told The Shillong Times here on Sunday.
A river cruise will give visitors a fair idea of the varieties of fishing nets and other equipment kept on the edges for an easy catch.
“While we understand that the villagers carry out such activities to make ends meet, we are now trying to make them understand that they should be careful as several dolphins have been sighted and that it was their duty to ensure they are safe,” he said.
The sighting of the species assumes significance as the river dolphin in Assam is primarily found only in Brahmaputra, Subansiri and Kulsi rivers. Most of the dolphins are sighted at the confluence point of Pohumara and Kaldiya rivers but with the water levels receding, at present, the colony is concentrated at Taparbori.
“Generally, dolphins are sighted in great numbers during the months of June and July when the river water levels are high. They come to the confluence point in search of food, which is fish. As such, too much of fishing activities are also a danger for their survival,” Das, who had last sighted the species, albeit in small numbers, two years back, said.
Nakhanda near Barpeta town is about 140km from Guwahati.
The wildlife activist further said that the Nakhanda area has a generous forest cover and is home to over 400 animal/avian species apart from butterflies and insects.
“Only recently, a pack of black jackals, believed to be a new subspecies or melanistic members of an existing species, was discovered here. The area also attracts a wide variety of migratory birds. However, deforestation and encroachment are concerns for wildlife lovers like us. So, we are trying to move the authorities to take measures to make Nakhanda a protected area. An urban forest will attract a lot of tourists as well,” he said.
Girindra Adhikary, the divisional forest officer (social forestry), here however said that the 30 hectare area housing the bio-diversity and species has to be handed over to it before a full-fledged proposal for its declaration as a protected area can be submitted.
“Once the land is handed over, we can take the process forward. Thereafter we can take steps to improve the habitat, carry out a plantation drive and set up a watch tower beside the road for visitors. For now, we are involving the community to ensure that the dolphins are protected,” Adhikary told this correspondent.