A tragic discovery was made in the waters of the Ganga in Kanpur late Friday evening, casting a spotlight on the river's deteriorating health. The carcass of a massive, endangered Gangetic Dolphin, measuring nine feet in length, was found under a bridge in the Jajmau area.
Recovery and Initial Findings
Local police, assisted by boatmen, managed to pull the heavy carcass from the river. The body was subsequently handed over to the forest department for further investigation. Forest Ranger Rakesh Pandey took official custody of the dolphin. According to Jitendra Singh, the station in-charge of Jajmau, the carcass appeared to be about two to three days old.
Officials estimated the weight of the aquatic mammal to be around 182 kilograms. A post-mortem examination was conducted to determine the cause of death, which pointed towards a severe multi-organ failure. To gain deeper insights, the dolphin's organs have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for a detailed analysis.
Pollution: The Likely Culprit
While the exact trigger for the organ failure is under scientific scrutiny, officials and locals point a finger at a chronic problem: pollution. Forest department officials stated that the dolphin might have succumbed to the toxic conditions of the river. Residents of the Jajmau stretch have long complained about the alarmingly high pollution levels in the Ganga here, which they believe led to this tragic death.
This incident gains a broader context when viewed alongside recent environmental measures. In view of the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, which began on Saturday, the polluting tanneries in Kanpur were ordered to be closed on December 31. This temporary shutdown highlights the recognized impact of industrial waste on the river's ecosystem.
A Species on the Brink
The Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is a freshwater species native to the Ganga and its tributaries. Classified in the family Platanistidae, it is a crucial indicator of the river's ecological health. Its status is precarious; it was listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List back in 1996.
The threats facing this majestic creature are manifold and human-induced:
- Habitat fragmentation due to reduced dry-season river flows.
- Accidental entanglement in fishing gear.
- Targeted hunting in some areas.
- Severe pollution of rivers near urban and industrial centers.
The death of this dolphin in Kanpur is not an isolated event but a stark warning. It underscores the urgent need for sustained and effective action to clean the Ganga, protect its biodiversity, and ensure the survival of its most iconic and endangered inhabitants.
