Preeti
R. Kanaujia and Dr. Abdul Kalam, Centre for Environment Education, Lucknow
Found
in large numbers till a few years ago, their population has come down
considerably and ranges between 2500 and 3000 individuals throughout its
distribution range in the river systems of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. More
than 80% are found in India.
The threat to the mammal is
largely due to the degradation of its river habitat and poaching. The Ganges
river system is home to roughly one tenth of the world’s human population and
thus suffers from enormous pressure on its resource. A major threat to the
Ganges River Dolphin has been due to extensive damming of rivers for irrigation
and electricity generation, oil exploration, underwater noise which isolates
its populations and prevents seasonal migration. Other threats include chemical
pollution, boat traffic, hunting and human disturbances, accidental entanglement
in fishing nets. The poaching happens mainly for oil, fish baits and food by
local people.
In
order to conserve this species, it is important to build an understanding about
the species, their life cycles, habit and habitats. Unless people understand
and appreciate why the Ganges River Dolphin should be protected, it will be an
uphill battle to protect them. Education and awareness programmes can help in
developing a sensitive and informed population. With this aim, CEE with the
support from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), initiated a two-year
long project in July 2010 focusing on a conservation education programme in the
North, Eastern and North Eastern region of India.
Identifying
Locations and Issues
Research papers, reports,
books, news articles on studies done on the dolphin were reviewed to understand
the current status of the species. Experts working in the region were consulted
for their views, observations, concerns etc on the endangered species. This
helped to identify the areas where dolphin sightings have been reported.
The CEE team selected 5
locations in Assam, 6 locations in Bihar, 7 locations in UP and 2 in West
Bengal based
on the records of dolphin
populations in the area. In each location, the level of awareness about the
species was different. The issues related to river conservation were also
varied in terms of religious activities, pollution level etc.
The District Inspectors of
Schools (DIOS) in the selected districts were consulted for their inputs and
cooperation in developing the school outreach strategy. Similarly at most of
the locations, Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) were contacted to understand the
status of dolphin sightings in the area, and the type of awareness programmes
already being undertaken by the Forest Department.
The
school program
In each of the 20 selected
locations, a cluster of 25 schools was formed to conduct the awareness
activities. A local partner agency was also chosen to work with schools and
conduct the awareness and education activities. Schools located around dolphin
habitat and schools with students from around dolphin habitat were preferred
when inviting schools to participate.
The partners selected for the
conservation programme were oriented by CEE for organizing the teachers
training workshops and conducting the education and awareness activities in
their respective school cluster.
Each
NGO partner organized two days Teacher’s training at their clusters. A two-day
dolphin camp was organized for teachers and students of one active school from
each cluster. A Dolphin Mela is being organized at each cluster to display the
learnings from the programme.
Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) Material
CEE has developed a brochure, a
dolphin poster and a resource book on the Ganges River Dolphin. The brochure
gives information about the species and an overview of the two year long
project. The poster showcases this elusive species with relevant important
information.
The
resource book is meant for educators at schools. It povides details about the
life cycle of the GRD in an illustrative story format with activities. The
resource book has 11 chapters containing activities, and is written in a way
that science and social science teachers can easily link it with their existing
curriculum. Besides this guidance a nukkad natak, puppet show and
planning for a dolphin mela are provided, to help link the conservation
education programme from schools to communities.
Expected
Outcomes and Future Plans
It is
hoped that the Dolphin Conservation Education will help create wide-spread
awareness about dolphin conservation among communities living close to dolphin
habitat.
In the next phase, the plan is
to enhance the community outreach efforts. It will include consultation with
fisher folk and development of alternative livelihoods so as to reduce their
dependence on fishing in dolphin habitat.
For more information contact:
Preeti R. Kanaujia/ Dr Abdul
Kalam
Centre for Environment
Education 19/323,
Indira Nagar, Lucknow 226016,
Uttar Pradesh
Ph: 0522-2716628; Telefax: 0522
2716570
E-mail: ceenorth@ceeindia.org
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