Clean Ganga Mission Introduces Dolphin Ambulance

Context:

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is taking important steps to preserve the biodiversity of the Ganga River, with a special emphasis on endangered species like the Ganga Dolphin, India’s national aquatic animal. As part of this effort, NMCG has launched a Dolphin Ambulance and approved several other conservation initiatives under the Clean Ganga Mission to safeguard the river’s aquatic life and ecological balance.

Key Initiatives Under the Clean Ganga Mission:

1. Dolphin Ambulance Initiative

• Purpose: The Dolphin Ambulance is designed to rescue injured Ganga Dolphins and ensure their rehabilitation. The initiative is part of a project called “Advancing Rescue System for the Protection of Stranded Ganges River Dolphins.”
• Budget: The project has a total estimated cost of ₹1 crore.
• Awareness & Training: In addition to rescue efforts, the program aims to raise awareness about dolphin conservation and train local communities in better management and response to dolphin-related issues.
• Significance: Ganga Dolphins play a vital role in the river’s ecosystem, and this initiative will help protect them from threats like water pollution, habitat degradation, and accidental injuries.

2. Other Conservation Projects Approved by NMCG:

• Turtle Conservation Project:
• Focus: The project focuses on the conservation of endangered turtle species in the Ganga Basin, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.
• Objective: To rehabilitate and reintroduce three highly threatened turtle species.
• Cost: The estimated budget for this project is ₹78.09 lakh.
• Monitoring Tools: The project will also establish a spatial monitoring and reporting tool at the National Chambal Sanctuary to track the progress of the conservation efforts.
• Environmental Flow Assessment of Key Rivers:
• Rivers Covered: The initiative will assess the environmental flow of key rivers like Chambal, Son, Damodar, and Tons.
• Goals: To study water quantity and quality, improve natural flow patterns, and document the biodiversity within these river systems.
• Cost: The estimated budget for this project is ₹11 crore.
• “Rag-Rag Mein Ganga – Ek Jeevan Dhara” (Season 3):
• Purpose: NMCG has also approved the third season of this travelog series, which focuses on the significance of the Ganga and the conservation efforts surrounding it.
• Content: The season will cover ecological balance, protection of aquatic life, eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and community involvement in conservation.