Lucknow: National Dolphin Day was celebrated on Monday at Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow in association with Wildlife Survival Alliance (WSA) and the Endangered Species Project of Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, focusing attention on conservation of the Gangetic river dolphin and the need for healthy river ecosystems.Observed every year on Oct 5, National Dolphin Day aims to build public awareness about dolphins and the aquatic habitats they depend on.The Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica), India’s freshwater cetacean, lives in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and is adapted to turbid, fast-flowing waters. Conservation experts highlighted that its survival is closely tied to intact river habitats, sufficient prey and ecological connectivity across river stretches.Students took part in interactive activities including a ‘Know Your Gangetic Dolphin’ awareness session and a painting competition. Organisers said the activities were designed to help young participants understand the species’ biology, its ecological role and the pressures it faces in the wild.The programme was attended by Sanjay Biswal, IFS, conservator of forests, endangered species project, and K N Sudhir, wildlife warden. Students from TD Girls School and Amicus Academy participated.During the session, Arunima Singh and Kanad from WSA spoke about key threats to the dolphin, including habitat degradation and fragmentation, changes in river flow, pollution, declining prey availability and accidental entanglement in fishing gear. They stressed that protecting the dolphin requires safeguarding the wider river ecosystem and encouraging responsible river resource use.In the painting competition, Mahi Kashyap won first place, Janvi was second, Ritika third, and Sama Bano fourth.
