Bihar

• 21 Nov 2024

Inactivity at India’s First Dolphin Research Centre

Why in News? 

Dolphin conservation in India faces challenges as the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) in Bihar, remains non-operational, months after inauguration due to a lack of advanced equipment and skilled manpower.

Key Points 

• Inauguration and Current State: 
  • The NDRC, located near the Ganga in Patna, was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister on 4th March 2024. 
  • Despite its opening, the centre remains non-functional, marked by neglect and locked glass doors. 
• Impact on Dolphin Conservation: 
  • The delay has hindered essential research on Gangetic dolphins, India’s national aquatic animal. 
  • RK Sinha, the "Dolphin Man of India," who proposed the NDRC 15 years ago, expressed disappointment over the lack of progress. 
• Official Assurance: 
  • Bihar Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden assured that the NDRC would begin operations within the financial year 2024-25. 
  • The centre aims to conserve dolphins, study their behaviour and habitat, and train fishermen to safeguard dolphins during fishing. 
• Strategic Location and Importance: 
  • The 4,400-square-metre facility is situated on Patna University campus near the Ganga, allowing direct observation of dolphins in their natural habitat. 
• Conservation Challenges: 
  • Bihar, hosting half of India’s 3,000 Gangetic dolphins, faces threats to habitats due to activities like construction and pollution. 
  • The National Green Tribunal recently highlighted the danger posed by bridge debris in Bhagalpur to the dolphin population. 
• Significance of Gangetic Dolphins: 
  • These endangered dolphins, blind and reliant on echolocation, are crucial to the river ecosystem. 
    • Echolocation is a technique used by bats, dolphins and other animals to determine the location of objects using reflected sound. 
  • They thrive in deep waters with minimal currents and are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines. 
  • The Ganges river dolphin, discovered in 1801, historically inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. 
  • Recent studies in the Ganga River Basin show their presence in the mainstream and tributaries like Ghagra, Kosi, Gandak, Chambal, Rupnarayan, and Yamuna. 

Rajgir to Host Men’s Hockey Asia Cup

Why in News? 

According to the officials, the Rajgir Sports Complex will be hosting the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup in 2025. Scheduled from 27th August to 7th September, the event will also be a qualifying event for the World Cup, 2026.

Key Points

• Preparation for Hosting a Men's Event: 
  • Following the success of the women’s six-nation event, Bihar is gearing up to host the prestigious Asia Cup men’s tournament. 
  • The Asia Cup, a qualifying event for the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, is expected to draw larger crowds and increased interest.

The Men's Hockey Asia Cup 

• It is an event held annually by the Asian Hockey Federation since 2011 with India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and China participating in the inaugural tournament. 
• The Asian Hockey Federation is the governing body for hockey in Asia.  
• It has 33 member associations and it is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH). 
• The Asia Cup is an eight-team tournament, with the winner securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup.