Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary

Last updated
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary
Notified - 07th August, 1991
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Location Sultanganj to Kahalgaon Bihar, India
Nearest city Bhagalpur
Coordinates 25°16′10.6″N87°01′34.7″E / 25.269611°N 87.026306°E / 25.269611; 87.026306
Established1991
Governing bodyDepartment of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bihar

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is located in Bhagalpur District of Bihar, India. The sanctuary is a 60 kilometers stretch of the Ganges River from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district. notified as Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in 1991, it is the protected area for the endangered Gangetic dolphins in Asia. Once found in abundance, only a few hundred remain, of which half are found here.

Contents

The Gangetic Dolphin have been declared as the national aquatic animal of India. [1] This decision was taken in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday, 5 October 2009. [2] [3]

Introduction

The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) has been notified for the protection and conservation of Gangetic dolphin in the 60 km stretch of the Ganga river from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon under the provisions of Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972. Being a riverine habitat, its boundary and expanse keep on changing due to changing geomorphology of the Ganga river. The sanctuary has been named after the famous archaeological remains of Vikramshila University that was once a famous center of Buddhist learning across the world along with Nalanda during the Pala dynasty. Sultanganj, famous as an important religious centre in the Bihar, Bhagalpur famous as silk city and Kahalgaon known for the super thermal power plant of NTPC are important towns along the notified stretch of the sanctuary.

Sultanganj is a city and a notified area in Bhagalpur district, situated on the south bank of Ganga River, approximately 25 kilometers west of Bhagalpur city. Bhagalpur is a city with a Municipal Corporation situated on the southern bank of the Ganga. It is the third largest city in Bihar and the largest city in eastern Bihar. It is one of the major educational and commercial cities of this region. Area of the city is 110 square kilometers. Kahalgaon (formerly known as Colgong during British rule) is a town and a municipality in Bhagalpur district. It is located close to the archaeological remains of Vikramshila University and at the eastern end of the sanctuary bordering the state of Jharkhand. The Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Plant, a unit of National Thermal Power Corporation is located near the town.

Attraction

Smooth-coated otter Smooth-coated otter.jpg
Smooth-coated otter

Major attractions are the Ganges river dolphins (known as Soons by Locals) [4] which are classified as endangered on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, included in Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Appendix 2 of Convention of Migratory Species.

The sanctuary also contains rich diversity of other threatened aquatic wildlife, including the Indian smooth-coated otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata ), gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus ), a variety of freshwater turtles, and 135 species of waterfowl. [5]

Turtle Diversity

Turtle are the key animals for cleaning the water which leads to cleaner and healthy water for all the flora and fauna of the river Ganga. There are several species of turtles of conservation importance such as -

Avifauna

Compiled information based on surveys done by researchers and experts, there are approximately 198 avifauna species recorded in the sanctuary area. However, out of these recorded species, several species are threatened and near threatened (Critically endangered-1, Endangered-2, Vulnerable-6 and near threatened-13). Faunas from different families such as Accipitridae, Alaudidae, Alcedinidae, Anatidae, Ardeidae, Chardriidae, Ciconidae, Hirundinidae, Laridae, Motacillidae, Scolopacidae, Threskiornithidae could be seen here.

Accipitridae (a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet, which feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a few feeding on fruit) includes Black Kite, Black-winged Kite, Shikra, Crested Serpent Eagle, species like Eastern Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Indian Spotted Eagle, Pallas's Fish Eagle, declared as Vulnerable as per IUCN Red List could also be spotted here also Osprey and Peregrine Falcon are sighted in this area.

Fish Abundance and Diversity

Gangetic dolphin At Vikramshila Setu Ganga dolphin Bhagalpur.JPG
Gangetic dolphin At Vikramshila Setu

Fishes are an important food for Gangetic Dolphin, and hence a critical determinant of dolphin presence. Fishes of small sizes serve as dolphin's food. Some of the fish species recorded in VGDS are:

Waterfowl Abundance and Diversity

There are approximately 198 species of birds identified by the experts and researchers. Several species are threatened and near threatened (critically endangered-1, endangered-2, vulnerable-6 and near threatened-13).

Visiting

The best time to visit is October and June. Bhagalpur Junction railway station serves as the nearest railhead. Area between Sultanganj in west of Bhagalpur to Kahalgaon in east of Bhagalpur. Notably at Barari Ghat, where the Vikramshila Setu starts. The Manik Srakar ghat in monsoon season from July to mid-September provides one of the best sighting of this species.

Threats

Conservation

There are various conservation works going on the sanctuary area. Noted works are:

Related Research Articles

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The Ganges is a trans-boundary river of Asia which flows through India and Bangladesh. The 2,525 km (1,569 mi) river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It flows south and east through the Gangetic plain of North India, receiving the right-bank tributary, the Yamuna, which also rises in the western Indian Himalayas, and several left-bank tributaries from Nepal that account for the bulk of its flow. In West Bengal state, India, a feeder canal taking off from its right bank diverts 50% of its flow southwards, artificially connecting it to the Hooghly River. The Ganges continues into Bangladesh, its name changing to the Padma. It is then joined by the Jamuna, the lower stream of the Brahmaputra, and eventually the Meghna, forming the major estuary of the Ganges Delta, and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna system is the second-largest river on earth by discharge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganges river dolphin</span> Species of toothed whale

The Ganges river dolphin is a species of toothed whale classified in the family Platanistidae. It lives in the Ganges and related rivers of South Asia, namely in the countries of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It is related to the much smaller Indus river dolphin which lives in the Indus River in Pakistan and the Beas River of northwestern India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vikramashila</span> Site of an ancient university in India

Vikramashila was one of the three most important Buddhist monasteries in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda and Odantapuri. Its location is now the site of Antichak village near Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur district in Bihar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhagalpur district</span> District of Bihar in India

Bhagalpur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India. Bhagalpur is the oldest district of Bihar. Bhagalpur city is the administrative headquarters of this district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhagalpur division</span> Division of Bihar in India

Bhagalpur division is one of the nine administrative units of Bihar, a state in the east of India. Bhagalpur city is the headquarters of the division. Established in 1765, it is oldest division of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Chambal Sanctuary</span> Wildlife sanctuary in India

National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400 km2 (2,100 sq mi) tri-state protected area in northern India for the protection of the Critically Endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle and the Endangered Ganges river dolphin. Located on the Chambal River near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, it was first declared in Madhya Pradesh in 1978, and now constitutes a long narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states. Within the sanctuary, the pristine Chambal River cuts through mazes of ravines and hills with many sandy beaches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, also known as the small-headed softshell turtle or the Indo-Gangetic softshell turtle, is an endangered species of softshell turtle native to waterways and rivers of the Indian subcontinent. It is very large, feeding on fish, frogs, worms, crustaceans and molluscs, and even the occasional swimming small rodent or other mammal. C. indica, like other softshell turtles, uses it flexible shell to dig itself deep into sandy lake and river bottoms; here, it patiently waits for potential prey to swim by. They will also ambush and chase their prey, depending on availability, the time of year, and size of the prey. In the past it was included as a subspecies of Chitra chitra, a species restricted to Southeast Asia using current taxonomy.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kahalgaon</span> City in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

Kahalgaon is a municipality Town and one of 3 sub-divisions of Bhagalpur district in the state of Bihar, India. It is located close to the Vikramashila, that was once a famous centre of Buddhist learning across the world, along with Nalanda during the Pala dynasty. The Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Plant (KhSTPP) is located near the town (3 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vikramshila Setu</span> Bridge in Bhagalpur

Vikramshila Setu is a bridge across the Ganges, near Bhagalpur in the Indian state of Bihar. It is named after the ancient Mahavihara of Vikramashila which was established by King Dharmapala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhagalpur</span> City in Bihar, India

Bhagalpur, historically known as Champa Nagri, is a city in the Indian state of Bihar, situated on the southern bank of the Ganges river. It is the third largest city of Bihar by population and also serves the headquarters of Bhagalpur district, Bhagalpur division & Eastern Range. It is known as the Silk City & also listed for development under the Smart Cities Mission by Government of India. It is the only district in Bihar after capital city Patna where three major higher educational institutions IIIT, TMBU & Agriculture University(BAU) are located and also Vikramshila Central University is under construction next to the ruins of ancient Vikramshila University. Bhagalpur Railway Station serves the city. The river around city is home to the Gangetic dolphin, the National Aquatic Animal of India, and the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is established near the town. The city holds the largest Manasa Puja and one of the largest processions in Kali Puja, an intangible cultural heritage of the region.

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Kachhua Sanctuary is in Varanasi district in Uttar Pradesh, India. Turtles, the Ganges dolphin and other water animals can be found here.

Shivnarayanpur or Mathurapur is a village in the Kahalgaon block and under Pirpainti Vidhansabha seat of Bhagalpur district of Bihar, India.

Pirpainti is a town and a notified area in Bhagalpur district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a block of the Bhagalpur district and also a vidhansabha.

The state of Bihar has a number of bridges, extending from few metres to a few kilometres. The history of long bridges goes back to the British Empire when the site for the Koilwar bridge was surveyed in 1851. Since then a number of small and large bridges have crept up. Some are even largest of their kind. Mahatma Gandhi Setu, joining Patna and Hajipur was India's longest river bridge from 1982 to 2017.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravindra Kumar Sinha (biologist)</span> Dolphine Man of India

Ravindra Kumar Sinha is a Padma Shri awarded Indian biologist and environmentalist. He served as Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University from 2019-2023 and also served in Nalanda Open University. Previously he was the Head of the Department of Zoology at Patna University, and is a pioneer researcher and wildlife conservationist, famous for his efforts for the conservation of Gangetic Dolphins, he is popularly known as the "Dolphin Man of India".

List of cities and towns in Bhagalpur district in the Indian state of Bihar.

References

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  3. "Endangered dolphins made national aquatic animal - India Environment Portal | News, reports, documents, blogs, data, analysis on environment & development | India, South Asia". India Environment Portal. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  4. "WDCS Deutschland". Wdcs-de.org. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  5. "Cambridge Journals Online - Oryx - Abstract - Conservation and biomonitoring in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar, India". Journals.cambridge.org. Archived from the original on 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-01-24.