Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary: Home To National Aquatic Animal Of India

Abstract

Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is an endangered species found in Gangetic-Brahmaputra plain of India. It has been declared as the national aquatic animal of India. The species is found in Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna and
Karnaphuli–Sangu River systems of India, Bangladesh and Nepal. A 60 km stretch of Ganga from Sultanganj to
Kahalgaon in the district of Bhagalpur has been declared as Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary named after the Pal dynasty university ‘Vikramshila’. This species has been declared as National Aquatic Animal of India. The number of dolphins represent the health of aquatic system along with people response to this creature.