Assam: Endangered Ganges river Dolphin found dead in Dhubri

The national aquatic animal and the official animal of Guwahati, the Ganges River dolphin, known as Sisu, was found lifeless in the Majerchar region of Dhubri. 

Sources reveal that the deceased dolphin, believed to be an adult, met its tragic fate possibly due to entanglement in a fishing net, leading to the removal of its lower jaw. With this incident, the Ganges River dolphin population in the region, spanning from Jogighopa, Goalpara, to Sukhchar, Dhubri, now stands at a mere 80–100 individuals.

Fishermen in the area are urged to exercise extreme caution and implement stringent measures to safeguard these rare creatures, which not only serve as the official animal of Guwahati but also hold the prestigious status of being the nation's aquatic animal.

Ashiqure Rahman, a veteran journalist in Dhubri, expressed his concern over the decline in dolphin sightings, stating, "We would frequently see pods of dolphins (Sisus) even a few years ago. But these days, we might only occasionally spot a dolphin (Sisu) close to the town." Rahman suggests that a significant evolution in the mighty Brahmaputra might be contributing to the decline, as Ganges river dolphins are notoriously elusive, often swimming alone or in small groups and shying away from boats.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Ganges river dolphin, scientifically known as Platanista gangetica, as endangered due to severe threats to its survival.