Dolphin named as India’s national aquatic animal

India has declared the dolphin as its national aquatic animal. The move is a part of the all-out effort to save the rare freshwater species from disappearing from the country’s aqua-map.

There are less than 2,000 dolphins left in India, prompting the World Conservation Union to declare it as an endangered species.

India has a national bird and national animal. But this is the first time an aquatic animal is given national status. By declaring dolphins as a national aquatic animal, the Government hopes not only to ensure the survival of the species which are endemic to river Ganga but also seek cleansing of the river. ‘Since the river dolphin is at the apex of the aquatic food chain, its presence in adequate numbers symbolizes greater bio diversity in the river system’… Read Full Article