🐬 Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) – The Blind Sentinel of India’s Sacred Rivers

The Ganges River Dolphin is one of the most iconic and rare freshwater cetaceans in the world. With its legendary status and unique adaptations, this mammal represents the very soul of India’s riverine biodiversity. It is also recognized as the National Aquatic Animal of India, highlighting its cultural and ecological significance. The Sundarbans, where freshwater meets the sea, plays an important role in the survival of this species. Let’s explore everything you need to know about this incredible aquatic mammal.

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🧬 Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Mammalia

• Order: Artiodactyla

• Family: Platanistidae

• Genus: Platanista

• Species: Platanista gangetica

• Subspecies: Platanista gangetica gangetica (Ganges River Dolphin)

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🐬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics

• Length: Ranges from 1.5 to 2.6 meters

• Weight: 70 to 90 kilograms

• Color: Greyish brown body with a lighter underbelly

• Snout: Extremely long and narrow, filled with sharp interlocking teeth

• Eyes: Virtually blind, only capable of detecting light and movement

• Dorsal Fin: Small ridge-like bump instead of a typical fin

• Echolocation: Primary sensory system, used to navigate and hunt in murky waters

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🌍 Habitat & Distribution

• Found mainly in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh

• Inhabits deep freshwater channels, confluences, and meandering river bends

• Prefers areas with slow-flowing water and abundant fish stock

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🌟 Special Features & Behavior

🔹 Blind Yet Brilliant

• The Ganges Dolphin is functionally blind and relies on echolocation (biosonar) for everything – from hunting to communication.

🔹 Solo Lifestyle

• It is a solitary animal, occasionally seen in pairs but never in large pods like marine dolphins.

🔹 Feeding Strategy

• Feeds primarily on fish, crustaceans, and small aquatic animals by side-swimming and using its long snout to search in muddy riverbeds.

🔹 Breathing Behavior

• Surfaces every 30–120 seconds to breathe, producing a visible blow at the surface.

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🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, though largely saline, includes freshwater stretches and tidal rivers like Matla, Gosaba, Saptamukhi, and Raimangal, where the Ganges River Dolphin can still be found.

✅ Significance in the Sundarbans:

• Acts as a bio-indicator for freshwater health

• Their presence reflects the ecological integrity of the Sundarbans’ river networks

• Inhabits upper freshwater-dominated sections of the delta

⚠️ Threats in the Sundarbans:

• Bycatch in fishing nets and collision with motorboats

• Habitat degradation due to pollution, sedimentation, and damming of rivers upstream

• Reduced freshwater flow due to upstream irrigation and hydropower projects

• Climate change, causing increased salinity intrusion into core dolphin habitats

Conservation initiatives such as Project Dolphin, awareness drives, and community-involved eco-tourism in the Sundarbans aim to protect this precious species.

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🚨 Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Endangered

• CITES: Appendix I

• Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

• National Aquatic Animal of India (since 2009)

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🧠 Did You Know?

• Locally known as “Susu”, a name derived from the sound of its blow.

• It is one of only four river dolphin species in the world.

• Can hunt blindfolded, thanks to its hyper-sensitive echolocation.

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The Ganges River Dolphin is not just a fascinating creature of the river—it is a living symbol of the interconnectedness between water, wildlife, and people. Protecting this species ensures the survival of entire river ecosystems, especially in fragile zones like the Sundarbans.

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💡 Credit Note

🐬 Experience the majesty of the Sundarbans and its hidden wildlife gems with our specially curated Sundarban private tour or upgrade your journey with a Sundarban luxury tour package.
🌴 For more unforgettable experiences, browse our wide range of Sundarban tour offerings.
🐟 And don’t miss the culinary spectacle of the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025, where taste meets tradition!

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For in-depth details, visit the Ganges River Dolphin Wikipedia Page.