Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary UPSC
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the state of Bihar, India. It was established to protect the endangered Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica). It is the only dolphin sanctuary in India.
The sanctuary is situated on the Ganges River and covers an area of approximately 60 km in length. It was declared a sanctuary in 1991 with the aim of conserving the habitat of Gangetic dolphins, which are considered one of the oldest and most endangered species of freshwater dolphins in the world.
Gangetic dolphins are highly adapted to life in freshwater and are found in the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries. Their survival is threatened due to various factors such as pollution, habitat destruction, dam construction, and accidental entanglement in fishing gear.
The sanctuary's main objective is to create a safe environment for these dolphins to breed and thrive. It also serves as an important site for scientific research and conservation efforts. In addition to Gangetic dolphins, the sanctuary is home to various other aquatic species and is a vital ecosystem for the local communities dependent on the river.
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Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Location
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is located in the Bhagalpur District of the state of Bihar, India. It is situated on the Ganges River in the eastern part of the country. The Sanctuary is a 60 km stretch of the Ganga River, from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon, in Bihar
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Nearest Airport:
The nearest airport to the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is the Bhagalpur Airport. It is a domestic airport located in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. From the airport, you can reach the sanctuary by road.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:
As for the nearest railway station, the Bhagalpur Junction Railway Station is the most convenient one. It is a major railway station located in Bhagalpur and is well-connected to various cities and towns across India. From the Bhagalpur Junction Railway Station, you can take local transportation like taxis or buses to reach the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary History
The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary has a history closely tied to the conservation efforts for the Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in India. Here's an overview of its history:
Establishment: The sanctuary was established in 1991 to protect the endangered Gangetic river dolphins, also known as the South Asian river dolphins. The main objective was to create a safe habitat for these dolphins to breed and thrive, given their critical status as one of the oldest and most endangered species of freshwater dolphins in the world.
Conservation Importance: Gangetic dolphins are highly adapted to life in freshwater and are found in the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries. Over the years, their survival has been threatened due to various human activities, such as pollution, habitat destruction, dam construction, and accidental entanglement in fishing gear. The sanctuary was established to address these threats and conserve the species.
Over the years, the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary has played a vital role in the conservation of Gangetic dolphins, drawing attention to the importance of protecting India's rich aquatic biodiversity and the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Area
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 60 kilometers along the Ganges River from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon. This area is designated as a sanctuary to protect the habitat of the endangered Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and promote their conservation.
The area of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is prone to changes due to inundation of the floodplains and the meandering channels of the Ganga during monsoon.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary River
The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is situated along the Ganges River in the Bhagalpur District of Bihar, India. The Ganges, also known as the Ganga, is one of the major rivers in the Indian subcontinent and holds great cultural, religious, and ecological significance for the region.
The sanctuary encompasses a stretch of the Ganges River (60 kilometers from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon) where efforts are made to protect the endangered Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and conserve their habitat.
Conservation efforts in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary aim to safeguard the biodiversity of the river and ensure the survival of the unique and endangered species that inhabit its waters, such as the Gangetic river dolphin. The sanctuary serves as a crucial area for the protection and study of these remarkable aquatic mammals and the ecosystems they depend on.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Flora
Some of the typical flora found in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary may include:
(1) Grasses:
Various species of grasses and sedges that can tolerate periodic flooding and moist soil conditions.
(2) Trees:
Riparian forests consist of trees like Sal (Shorea robusta), Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), and others, which are well-adapted to riverbank environments.
(3) Aquatic Plants:
Submerged and floating aquatic plants like water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) present in the water bodies.
(4) Wetland Plants:
Wetland areas within the sanctuary support plants like reeds, rushes, and other marsh vegetation.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Fauna (Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Animals)
The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is home to a diverse range of fauna (animal species), both aquatic and terrestrial. The sanctuary's primary focus is on the conservation of the endangered Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica), but it also supports various other wildlife due to its location along the Ganges River and its riparian ecosystem.
Here are some of the key fauna that can be found in the sanctuary:
Mammals:
- Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica)
- Indian Smooth-coated Otter
Birds:
- Indian Skimmer
- Greater Adjutant
- Lesser Adjutant
- Black Stork
- Black-necked Stork
- White-necked Stork
- Asian Openbill
- Common Crane
- Eurasian Spoonbill
Reptiles:
- Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
- Various species of freshwater turtles
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary UPSC Questions
Q. In which state Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is located?/Which sanctuary is famous for Gangetic dolphin?/Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is situated at the bank of which city?
A. The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is located in the state of Bihar, India. It is situated in the Bhagalpur District, along the Ganges River, in the eastern part of the state. The sanctuary was established in Bihar to protect the endangered Gangetic river dolphins and conserve their habitat in the Ganges River's riparian ecosystem.
Q. Which is Indias first Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary?
A. India's first Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary. It is located in the Bhagalpur District of the state of Bihar, India, along the Ganges River. The sanctuary was established in 1991 with the primary objective of conserving the habitat of the endangered Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and promoting their conservation. The sanctuary is also known for its rich biodiversity, including various other aquatic and terrestrial species of flora and fauna.
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