Dolphins' days are numbered at Orissa's Gahirmatha

Dolphins' days are numbered at Orissa's Gahirmatha
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

KENDRAPARA, SEPT 13: The sun shines on the bright sea water of Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district, elated villagers from nearby areas shout dekha, sishumara kheluchhi (look, a dolphin is playing).

This marvelous as well as familiar sight on Gahiramatha beach or even in the river within Bhitarakanika Sanctuary a decade ago, is getting rarer as more and more dolphins have fallen prey to the greed of man. The man's most friendly sea mammal is now hunted for its meat and medicinal properties of its oil.

A rough estimate by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) some time ago, had put the number of these mammals in the Gahiramatha sanctuary at 400. With the dolphins being hunted at an alarming rate, it has become imperative to maintain their census, says forester M. Mohanty.

Classified as an endangered species by the International Union of Nature and Natural Resources, the Centre has also brought dolphins under the purview of the Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

During the monsoon, these dolphins descend on the tidal waters and can be seen proceeding in a series of leaps presenting a magnificent sight. But unfortunately, it's also the period when these animals, effectively rendered blind due to the absence of the crystalline lens in their eyes, fall easy prey to the nets of fishermen or are hunted down by the local people.

The main threat to dolphins are the fishing nets with small meshes where they get entangled while trying to eat fish trapped inside. Though they manage their way out of these obstacles while locating food, the wily locals, too, have mastered the art of hunting them.

Another reason for their dwindling population is attributed to the local belief that the oil extracted from it is an instant pain-reliever and cures several diseases.

According to senior scientist of Wildlife Institute of India B.C. Chowdhury, who has been closely watching the species since they were found in certain parts of the river and the sea, not everything is known regarding their breeding habits. A detailed study on the habitat and other peculiar behaviour of the dolphins could show the way for their protection, he says.

Delhi-based Dr S. Behera, who has done research on these mammals, says that the presence of fresh water dolphins is indicative of a rich river ecosystem. He adds that declaring the stretches inhabited by dolphins as protected areas and involving local communities over the past seven years have yielded positive results and their numbers have gone up in a few places. To save the dolphin and Olive Ridley sea turtle from extinction, the government had, in 1997, declared a 50-km stretch between Paradip and Ekakula as marine sanctuary.

Last year, an Indian Dolphins Committee was formed under the aegis of WWF with the idea of saving the endangered species from extinction. But these efforts seem to be a small step towards protecting the wonderful water animal in the absence of awareness among the local people.