Awareness programme ‘Let’s Talk Dolphin’ held at Cachar College

Mar. 1: With a view to spread awareness and sensitizing various stakeholders regarding the need and possible measures which need to be adopted for the conservation of river Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica), the ‘National Aquatic Animal’ in the aqua zones of Barak Valley, Assam, an Awareness cum interactive program was organised at Cachar College, Silchar with the joint initiative of State Forest Department, Assam, Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University Silchar and Department of Zoology, Cachar College, Silchar on 28 February, 2022.

Prof. Shyama Prasad Biswas, retired Professor of Department of Life Science, Dibrugarh University, Assam and a renowned Dolphin researcher and the Chief Speaker of the Programme lucidly addressed various issues and challenges of conservation of this endangered aquatic mammal. In his lecture Prof. Biswas narrated about biology of freshwater Dolphin, need for its conservation and various causes of depletion of the species across Assam. He maintained that killing for fat and oil, soil erosion, illegal use of fishing nets in riverine capture fisheries, indiscriminate use of insecticide and pesticides are the major threats to the survival of this ecologically important keystone species in riverine ecosystem. Awareness of local community and Community participation together with active involvement of Fishery Department, Forest Department for close monitoring of fishing activities in important sites of major rivers are essential to ascertain the conservation of this dwindling species.

Prof. Parthankar Choudhury of Department of Ecology and Environmental Science of Assam University Silchar, the Principal Investigation of this NEC sponsored Project, while presenting a few case studies in Barak and Kulsi rivers of Assam stated that indiscriminate killing during fishing operations, habitat loss and sand mining are some of the major concerns which led to the depletion of the species in these rivers. Prof. Choudhury pointed out that even though river Dolphin is protected by Indian Wildlife Act, (1972) under Schedule-I species, a completely different picture prevails in the interior far flung areas due to lack of awareness of local fishermen communities who earn their livelihood from various riverine resources. On a positive note, he concluded with the promise of placing a proposal to the State Forest Ministry of Assam regarding declaration of ‘Dolphin Sanctuary’ in the Barak river comprising the important Dolphin-sighting stretches of the river.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tejas Mariswamy, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer stressed upon formulation of immediate ‘Action Plan’ with the involvement of Forest Department, Fishery Department, Revenue Department and District Administration. Mr. Babul Chandra Das, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Cachar, Mr. Durgeswar Tamuli, Divisional Forest Officer, Matijuri, Hailakandi, Mr. Alok Ranjan Deb, Range Officer, Sadar, Mr. Jishnu Dutta, a conservation enthusiast took active part during interaction session through sharing their personal experiences, views and suggestions on issues and challenges concerning conservation of river Dolphin. Replying to a query by Dr. Nitu Debnath on ‘Captive Breeding Programme’ of river Dolphin, Prof. Biswas expressed the challenges associated with transportation of this sensitive species for successful captive breeding. Mr. Jishnu Dutta and Prof. Parthankar Choudhury unequivocally stressed upon the active coordination of all the line Departments of Govt. of Assam to achieve the desired conservation goal.

Prof. Siddhartha Sankar Nath, Principal, Cachar College, Silchar and Dr. Apurba Chakraborty, Former Head of Department of Zoology of the College also spoke on the occasion and maintained that appropriate measures needs to be taken immediately to bring the species back into the water of river Barak.

The Programme was organised under a Project on conservation of river Dolphin funded by North Eastern Council, Shillong. Prof. Chodhuury and Prof. Biswas, the PI and Co-PI respectively of the Project recalled with gratitude the contribution of Late Dr. Th Pawlen Singha, former Associate Professor of Department of Chemistry, Cachar College, Silchar in materialising the project.

A total of around 150 participants attended the programme which was conducted in a blended mode, including Officials of State Forest Department, Social Forestry Division, College Teachers, Researchers, people associated with conservation efforts, students and Media persons and others. A leaflet describing the issues and importance of river Dolphin in Barak river and containing a humble conservation appeal to the public, was distributed to the participants present in the Awareness programme.

The programme was copered by Dr. Nitu Debnath, Assistant Prof., Department of Zoology and formal Vote of Thanks was offered by Dr. Joyobrato Nath, Assistant Prof., Department of Zoology, Cachar College, Silchar.