Dolphins death in Bihar worries authorities

Patna, Apr 30 (ANI): The mysterious death of at least four river dolphins in the Ganges River has worried the local authorities.

Gangetic dolphins were once in abundance but an increase in pollution in the river has led to a sharp drop in its numbers.

"I received the information that dolphins have been found dead at Ganges River banks, following which we have come here. We saw that two are dead at the Keshav riverbank and two are dead at Jhavganj riverbank. We have asked them to bring the bodies at one place. Investigations are on to find out the reason behind the deaths," said B K S Chaudhari, Sub-Inspector.

Locals claimed that dolphin deaths signify dangerous levels of pollution in Ganges River.

"It seems that there is dangerous pollution in water. And people here drink this water, considering it very holy. So we want to demand from the government and from the administration that until the Ganges water is announced pollution-free it should not be used for drinking. Such information should be advertised from the government," said Parbhat Jaswal.

According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Gangetic dolphins are in grave danger with their population declining at a rate of 10 percent annually.

Industrial discharges, sewage, pesticides and the rotting remains of corpses have increased pollution levels in the River Ganges over the years despite government promises to clean up the sacred river. (ANI)