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Fallout of NW -1 on Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.
Why in news
- The issue of vessels passing through National Waterway-1 connecting Haldia to Varanasi was raised in parliament.
More in news
- The concerns raised are that the National Waterway-1 passes through countries only dolphin reserve i.e. . The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS).
- The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS), extends from Sultanganj to Kahalganj on the Ganga in Bihar is the only dolphin sanctuary in the country and the Sultanganj-Kahalgaon stretch of National Waterway-1 passes through it.
- Experts have pegged the population of the Ganges dolphin in VGDS from 150 to 200.
- Mitigation measures to be undertaken are -
- Vessel speed would be restricted to 2.7 knots in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) area to reduce the noise generation from propeller
- lf any aquatic mammal/dolphin is spotted, then the measures will be taken to push it away through sirens/signals.
- The other mitigation measures, include fitting vessels with propeller guards and dolphin deflectors to minimise dolphin accidents and using non-toxic paints for painting vessels.
- The mitigations are based on Comprehensive Environmental and Social lmpact Assessment (ESIA) study on National Waterway-I including on stretches falling within VGDS.
- What experts have to say
- Dolphins are difficult to spot and even after they are spotted if sirens are sounded it will not only disturb them more but also a number of other migratory birds and aquatic fauna.
- Using the Ganga for navigation will be detrimental to the biodiversity of the river as it requires dredging the river bed which invariably disturbs the ecosystem and river geo morphology.
Source
The Hindu