Death of Gangetic dolphins: Investigation underway

GUWAHATI: Divisional Forest Officer of the Kamrup West Division Dimpi Bora hinted that miscreants might have haunted Gangetic dolphins leading to their unnatural death.

"It is suspected that they (the dopphins) might have been hunted by some miscreants, which is an offence as per Section 55 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," the DFO said.

The department registered an offence under the Nagarbera Range Office under Kamrup West Division (NBR2/0ffence/7 of 2021-22 dated 02/09/2021).

The local people found the two Gangetic dolphins dead at Salpara in the Chamaria area under Kamrup West Division on Thursday. The Gangetic Dolphins (Platanista gangetica) measured 1.09 and 1.18 metres respectively.

Dolphins are scheduled-I species under the Schedule of Animals, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Division, Uttam Basumatary is the Inquiry officer. The department prepared the seizure list as per the procedure.

The department collected the blood and organ samples and sent them to the State Veterinary College, Khanapara, Forensic Laboratory, Guwahati and North East Disease Digenetic Research Laboratory for ascertaining the exact cause of death. It also sent the samples to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for genetic analysis and toxicological studies.

The DFO said that since the carcasses of the dolphins began to decompose, the Department buried them as per procedure in the presence of the authorized officer with proper documentation of the proceedings.

In a submission to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup, the DFO said the investigation of the incident is under progress, and the department will place the report before the court in due course of time, a press release said.

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