Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?

1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers

2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers

3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally

4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The Correct Answer is 1, 3 and 4 only.

Key Points

• The increase in the population of the crocodile in the river is nothing to do with the decline in the Ganges River Dolphins. Hence Statement 2 is Not Correct.
• It is threatened primarily by the damming of rivers for irrigation and electricity generation, which degrades the habitat, and isolates the populations; preventing seasonal migration.
• The Ganges river dolphin has dwindled abysmally to less than 2000 during the last century owing to direct killing, habitat fragmentation by dams and barrages, and indiscriminate fishing.
• The Gangetic river dolphin is India's national aquatic animal and is popularly known as ‘Susu’.  The declaration was made in 2009 in the National Ganga River Basin Authority’s (NGRBA) first meeting.
• National Dolphin Day is celebrated each year on April 14th.