Lockdown impact on dolphins as an aquatic health indicator and maintenance of sustainable Gangetic ecosystem: An overview

Abstract

A healthy ecosystem is a subject matter of interest because of its rich biodiversity. But natural climatic changes, as well as various man-made anthropogenic factors, not only emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere resulting in global warming but influence various ecosystems of the earth. The aquatic ecosystem is one such example where the dolphin, with its complex behaviour, is recognized as one of the most intelligent members. The natural hydrodynamic body system speeds up underwater and the SONAR system communication technology helps dolphins to work as an efficient aquatic health indicator. But human activities, including aquatic poaching and fishing, creating underwater noise pollution and undesirable infrastructures and producing debris from their generated wastes obstruct the proper functioning of these systems and ultimately contribute to their habitat loss.  So, dolphins’ ( Gangetic ones in India) disappearance from their comfortable living zone was inevitable and observed in the past few decades as they migrated to areas with more favourable conditions. The available information related to the rejuvenation in the qualities of the Gangetic water and the restoration of the dolphin’s habitat during COVID pandemic confirmed the absence of the negative impact of human activities on the Gangetic ecosystem.  Hence, identification of the important steps to be implemented by the concerned authorities in post-COVID situation and their maintenance by the common people is necessary to balance such important aquatic biodiversity in the long run, keeping the country’s developmental activities operational. This review article is an endeavour towards that direction.