THREATS
FISHING
POLLUTION
MANMADE CHANGES
GENERAL INFORMATION: Major threats include fishing, pollution, and manmade changes to habitat. While the hunting of these dolphins has declined, many citizens still hunt Ganges dolphins for meat or oil that is used for other fishing. A major issue of fishing is the use of gillnets and the overlapping territory of dolphins and fishers during the dry season. While this has not been the most significant threat, it will undoubtably grow along with the growth in consumer demand. The other two threats are even more substantial. Manmade changes like irrigation cause a loss of water downstream that in turn leads to changing fish populations and habitat locations, barriers like dams also cause more species fragmentation. These manmade changes are in large part for agriculture. As the need for water for agriculture increases and the need for agriculture with growing populations increases, the likelihood that South Asian river dolphins become extinct or extirpated is high. Pollution is also a key factor in the decline of the river dolphin, their habitat is constantly overrun with harmful drugs that poison the environment. Overall, their habitat is severely reduced because of the necessity for water for human needs and lack of conservation methods for clean water.
FOCUS: POLLUTION
Many types of pollution affect the waterways in South Asia including excess waste, industrialization, and agricultural runoff. Increasing population leads to excess waste that ends up in rivers and marshes, causing murky waters to become toxic for wildlife. Agricultural runoff contributes to increasing toxicity levels as well because of pesticide runoff like DDT, a toxic organochlorine. Areas surrounding the South Asian river dolphins habitat lack protection and waste management, so the problem is likely to get worse.
LOOKING CLOSER...
HYDERABAD, INDIA
Hyderabad is a city where the South Asian river dolphin has been known to reside. Unfortunately, Hyderabad is experiencing a pharmaceutical pollution tragedy. India has a large pharmaceutical industry and exports to the United States and Europe. There has long been complaints of toxic effects in waterways and the environment from pharmaceutical runoff, causing health issues and killing wildlife, however the government has done little to nothing in order to help. Hyderabad was once known for its lakes, but that has since changed. The pollution from pharmaceuticals is visible through toxic foam that builds on the surface of the water and it forces people to stay inside their homes. The effects on aquatic animals has been detrimental, and in certain areas around the South Asian river dolphins habitat in general, they have been found positive when tested for organochlorines. The pharmaceuticals are a major concern because antibiotics that are flushed into streams cause the environment to grow antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to humans and the environment because it makes it harder to treat diseases. There is no doubt that Hyderabad's issues with toxic pharmaceuticals has dangerous possibilities for an already deteriorating species.
Pollution issues are ongoing and continue to affect the river ecosystems in Southern Asia.
CONSERVATION
Ranges of habitat for the South Asian river dolphin have protections in place for conservation. There are sanctuaries and the dolphins are legally protected, along with some successful management strategies. However, no current research is going for this species and they are in need of help.
Action Taken:
Legal Protection
As their habitat disappears, the South Asian river dolphin has won little support for their protection. In some countries legal protections were implemented as Ganges were protected from hunting, and rescue and relocation strategies for Indus have been successful. However, many of the legal acts providing protection for these animals are old, and new protections may need to be put in place as the species is reassessed.
Education
This issue has not been entirely overlooked, it is included in legislative conversations and the government has implemented some protection policies. Internationally, pharmaceutical waste has been a much more prominent topic in discussions on environmental changes. Hunting bans were put in place against hunting the Ganges and Indus dolphins, which may have led to a population spike.
Action Needed:
Research
Habitat degradation is increasing along with the increase of waste and pharmaceutical pollution in waterways. More monitoring of the species is needed in order to understand the full effect human pollution has on the South Asian dolphin. An increase in monitoring the species will also aid in understanding population trends.
Waste Management
The amount of pollution flowing into the marshes and rivers in South Asia can be limited by better waste management. Processing plants must be improved so that human waste and drugs don't flow directly into the streams and ruin ecosystems.
Education
The communities of polluted areas understand the full extent of the pollution, so the government must be made to comprehend the urgency and actually care about species native to their countries. Citizens who still hunt Ganges for bait oil need to be educated on alternative bait options.
In general, for the amount of habitat degradation and negative environmental factors this species is experiencing, not enough action has been taken in order to protect them. The South Asian river dolphin is a top predator in their ecosystem and the loss of this species would change the ecosystem in ways we don't yet fully understand. More change is necessary! So, HOW CAN YOU HELP?