Wildlife Institute of India flags critical threat from industrial pollutants and banned pesticides.
New Delhi, May 17 — A new scientific study has raised alarm over the survival of the endangered Gangetic dolphins, revealing that these freshwater mammals are increasingly being exposed to toxic chemicals in the Ganga river. The study, published in the journal Heliyon, was conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India and underscores the ecological and conservation emergency facing one of India’s most iconic aquatic species.Dangerous Levels of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Detected
Researchers investigated the dietary exposure of Gangetic dolphins to 39 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) by analysing the fish species forming the dolphins’ primary diet. The results showed significant bioaccumulation of hazardous industrial pollutants such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP).Moreover, residues of banned pesticides, including DDT and Lindane (γ-HCH), were found, indicating lapses in environmental regulation enforcement across the Ganga basin.
High-Risk Pollutants Identified
Although traditional toxicity risk quotients appeared low, the researchers assessed the threat using reference doses, a more realistic measure of long-term exposure. This revealed that Gangetic dolphins are at high risk from seven key pollutants:- DEHP
- DnBP
- DDT
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Population Decline and Shrinking Habitat
The Gangetic dolphin, India’s national aquatic animal and a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, has seen its population plummet by over 50% since 1957. Its habitat range has shrunk by nearly 25%, making the current findings even more urgent.A Repeat of the Yangtze Tragedy?
The study draws parallels with the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin in China, warning that India could face a similar loss if unchecked pollution continues to threaten riverine ecosystems.Multiple Sources of Contamination
The contamination stems from multiple human activities, including:- Agricultural runoff
- Untreated effluents from textile industries
- Vehicular emissions
- Ineffective solid waste management
- Unregulated tourism in ecologically sensitive zones
Policy Recommendations and Conservation Action
The study calls for the immediate integration of the identified pollutants into dolphin conservation-monitoring programmes. It also advocates for a science-driven national framework to assess and regulate chemical contamination in rivers.While Gangetic dolphins are protected by law, the report strongly emphasizes that legal protection must translate into tangible action through pollution control, enforcement, and ecological monitoring.
The findings were part of a set of key ecological documents unveiled on a new portal launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, aiming to improve access to conservation data and foster informed environmental governance.