Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
6. Protection of Dolphin is being given a national importance with the announcement of Project Dolphin. Discuss the significance of Dolphins in aquatic ecosystem and the threats they face. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Project Dolphin was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech.
Key Demand of the question: To write about the threats faced by dolphins and ways to conserve them.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by stating that Gangetic Dolphins are the national aquatic animals and the Indus river dolphin is classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Body:
First, mention that Aquatic life is an indicator of the health of river ecosystems. As the Gangetic dolphin is at the top of the food chain, protecting the species and its habitat will ensure conservation of aquatic lives of the river, improving the availability of fishes and enhancing economies of local communities through sustainable fishery.
Next, mention the threats such as construction of dams and barrages, and increasing pollution have led to a decline in the population of aquatic animals in the rivers in general and of dolphins in particular.
Next, mention the various steps taken to protect it.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating that the conservation of keystone species is crucial to sustain the aquatic ecosystem.
