Title : Irrawaddy Dolphin

Date : Nov 11, 2021

Description :

GS III

 

Topic à Conservation related issues:

 

• Why in News:

• Recently, Irrawaddy dolphin have been found dead in Chilika Lake. 
• This is the 8th dolphin death in Odisha in 8 months.

 

• About Irrawaddy Dolphins:

 

• Irrawaddy dolphins fall under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and mentioned in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species.
• Found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong (China).
• The concentrated lagoon populations are found in Chilika Lake in Odisha, and Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand.

 

• About Chilika Lake:

• Chilika is Asia’s largest and world’s second largest lagoon.
• It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
• In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawaddy dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island.
• The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
• Kalijai Temple – Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.

 

• Prelims Hot-Link:

• About the habitats and IUCN status of Irrawaddy dolphins.
• Their global distribution.
• About Chilika lake.

 

• Source – Down to Earth

Tags : Irrawaddy dolphins