Why in the News?
- Conservation reserves, citizen science, and habitat protection efforts are helping the Indus River Dolphin population recover in India, particularly in the Beas River.
About the Indus River Dolphin
- Scientific Name: Platanista minor
- Common Name: Indus River Dolphin
- Type: Freshwater river dolphin
- One of the rarest mammals in the world
- IUCN Status is Endangered
Distribution
- Primary Habitat: Indus River system (Pakistan)
- India:
- Beas River (Punjab) — small remnant population
- Earlier found across:
- Indus tributaries (Ravi, Sutlej, Chenab, Jhelum)
Physical Appearance
- Long, pointed snout
- Visible teeth even when mouth is closed
- Flexible neck (rare among dolphins)
- Small dorsal fin
| [2019] Consider the following pairs: Wildlife Naturally found in 1. Blue-finned Mahseer: Cauvery River 2. Irrawaddy Dolphin: Chambal River 3. Rusty-spotted Cat: Eastern Ghats Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? [A] 1 and 2 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3 |
