Source: DH
Context: Assam and Meghalaya governments have agreed to construct a 55 MW hydropower project on the Kulsi River, which is a known habitat for the endangered Ganges River dolphin.
About Kulsi River:
- Location: Flows through West Khasi Hills (Meghalaya) into Kamrup district (Assam).
- Origin & Course:
- Originates in Meghalaya.
- It flows ~60 km before joining the Brahmaputra River.
- Key Features: Small, shallow river with average width of 70–80 meters and rich in biodiversity and endangered species habitat.
About Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
- What is the Gangetic Dolphin?
- A freshwater dolphin species found in South Asia, one of only five river dolphin species globally.
- Locally known as “Susu” for the sound it emits while surfacing for air.
- Geographic Distribution: Inhabits Ganga, Brahmaputra, Meghna, and Karnaphuli-Sangu River systems across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Key Biological Features:
- Blind Species: Lacks functional lenses; navigates and hunts using echolocation.
- Respiration: Surfaces every 30–120 seconds to breathe.
- Feeding Habits: Predominantly eats fish and favors counter-current flows in main river channels.
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Declared the National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009, symbolizing freshwater ecosystem conservation.
