Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary
| Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
| Notified - 07th August, 1991 | |
 Gangetic Dolphin in VGDS | |
  | |
| Location | Sultanganj to Kahalgaon Bihar, India |
| Nearest city | Bhagalpur |
| Coordinates | 25°16′10.6″N 87°01′34.7″E / 25.269611°N 87.026306°E |
| Established | 1991 |
| Governing body | Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bihar |
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is located in
The Gangetic Dolphin have been declared as the national aquatic animal of India.[1] This decision was taken in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday, 5 October 2009.[2][3]
Introduction
The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) has been notified for the protection and conservation of Gangetic dolphin in the 60 km stretch of the Ganga river from
Sultanganj is a city and a notified area in Bhagalpur district, situated on the south bank of Ganga River, approximately 25 kilometers west of Bhagalpur city. Bhagalpur is a city with a Municipal Corporation situated on the southern bank of the Ganga. It is the third largest city in Bihar and the largest city in eastern Bihar. It is one of the major educational and commercial cities of this region. Area of the city is 110 square kilometers. Kahalgaon (formerly known as Colgong during British rule) is a town and a municipality in Bhagalpur district. It is located close to the archaeological remains of Vikramshila University and at the eastern end of the sanctuary bordering the state of Jharkhand. The Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Plant, a unit of National Thermal Power Corporation is located near the town.
Attraction
The sanctuary also contains rich diversity of other threatened aquatic wildlife, including the Indian
Turtle Diversity
Turtle are the key animals for cleaning the water which leads to cleaner and healthy water for all the flora and fauna of the river Ganga. There are several species of turtles of conservation importance such as -
- Nilsonia gangetica - commonly known as Indian Softshell Turtle
- Nilsonia hurum - commonly known as Indian Peacock Softshell Turtle
- Pangshura tecta - commonly known as Indian Roofed Turtle
- Pangshura tentoria - commonly known as Indian Tent Turtle
- Lissemys punctata - commonly known as Indian Flapshell Turtle
- Chitra indica - commonly known as Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle
Avifauna
Compiled information based on surveys done by researchers and experts, there are approximately 198 avifauna species recorded in the sanctuary area. However, out of these recorded species, several species are threatened and near threatened (Critically endangered-1, Endangered-2, Vulnerable-6 and near threatened-13). Faunas from different families such as
Accipitridae (a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet, which feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a few feeding on fruit) includes
Fish Abundance and Diversity
Fishes are an important food for Gangetic Dolphin, and hence a critical determinant of dolphin presence. Fishes of small sizes serve as dolphin's food. Some of the fish species recorded in VGDS are:
- Helicopter catfish - locally known as Barwari or Boyari (Wallago attu)
- Indian river shad- locally known as Suhiya (Salmostoma bacalia)
- Indian patasi - locally known as Patasi or Potasi (Pseudeutropius atherinoides)
- Gangetic ailia - locally known as Patanga or Kajuli (Ailia coila)
- Bagrid catfish - locally known as Ayre (Sperata aor)
- Coitor croaker (Johnius coitor), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala)
- Short-hairfin anchovy (Setipinna brevifilis) and
- Gangetic Mystus - locally known as Kavasi or Palwa (Mystus cavasius).
Waterfowl Abundance and Diversity
There are approximately 198 species of birds identified by the experts and researchers. Several species are threatened and near threatened (critically endangered-1, endangered-2, vulnerable-6 and near threatened-13).
Visiting
The best time to visit is October and June. Bhagalpur Junction railway station serves as the nearest railhead. Area between Sultanganj in west of Bhagalpur to Kahalgaon in east of Bhagalpur. Notably at Barari Ghat, where the Vikramshila Setu starts. The Manik Srakar ghat in monsoon season from July to mid-September provides one of the best sighting of this species.
Threats
- Multiple dams and barriers disrupting free movement of the dolphins.
- effluents, which are responsible for the death of many fish and are likely to have a negative effect on dolphin population.
- Killing of the animals for their meat or oil (used as catfish bait), and accidental entanglement in fishing nets.
Conservation
There are various conservation works going on the sanctuary area. Noted works are:
- The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), the Environmental Biology Laboratory of Patna University , and T.M. Bhagalpur University, has initiated a project to improve the conservation value of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.
- Aaranyak, a registered conservation NGO working in North East India since 1989, has initiated a project entitled "Conservation of Gangetic dolphin in Brahmaputra river system, India" in collaboration with Dibrugarh University (Assam). The project aims to evaluate the conservation status of the Ganges river dolphin throughout the entire Brahmaputra river system by carrying out research into the species' population status, distribution, habitat preferences and threats.
- WWF-India also had started the Dolphin Conservation Programme to conserve the habitat of the Ganges river dolphin and secure a future for the endangered species.
- Forest Guards, Forester and other official of Bhagalpur Forest Division, Bhagalpur make sure of no illegal nets to be there in the sanctuary area. Even with limited support and manpower, Regular patrolling and seizure of illegal nets is carried out.
References
- ^ [1] Archived January 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "River dolphin crowned India's aquatic animal: Latest Headlines, News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2009-10-06. Archived from the original on 2009-10-10. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
- ^ "Endangered dolphins made national aquatic animal - India Environment Portal | News, reports, documents, blogs, data, analysis on environment & development | India, South Asia". India Environment Portal. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
- ^ "WDCS Deutschland". Wdcs-de.org. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
- ^ "Cambridge Journals Online - Oryx - Abstract - Conservation and biomonitoring in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar, India". Journals.cambridge.org. Archived from the original on 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-01-24.