Crisis and Conservation: Safeguarding the Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins of Chilika Lagoon
In environments where human activities have significantly altered the natural landscape, wildlife faces a multitude of challenges, necessitating a thorough understanding of the responsible factors in order to advance conservation efforts. A recent research paper authored by Acharyya, T., et.al., (2023) offers valuable insights centered around the Irrawaddy Dolphins (Oracella brevirostris), an endangered species inhabiting the Chilika lagoon located on the eastern seaboard of India. Through a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge, the article highlights the identified threats to these dolphins arising from both climate change and human activities, while also proposing a conservation roadmap aimed at safeguarding their survival within the Chilika ecosystem.
Presently, the population of Irrawaddy Dolphins in Chilika faces a grave endangerment, with only a meager count of a few hundred individuals remaining. Although protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, they have not received adequate attention for conservation measures. Various menacing factors pose imminent threats to these dolphins including the diversion and damming of rivers leading into Chilika, alterations in shoreline dynamics, the spread of diseases, unsustainable practices related to dolphin watching tourism, pollution, and the entanglement of dolphins in fishing nets.
Irrawaddy Dolphin population in Chilika lagoon for the last 17 years. (Data Source: various including https://www.wildlife.odisha.gov.in/)
Chilika, like numerous other lagoons, falls vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, with rising water temperatures being a significant concern. Alarmingly, projections indicate an annual temperature surge ranging from 0.27–3.61 °C by the end of this century, which could significantly affect the suitability of habitat for Irrawaddy Dolphins. Such changes may force these creatures to either migrate towards unsuitable areas or relocate to the Bay of Bengal.
The rising sea level in the vicinity of the Bay of Bengal further exacerbates the precarious situation, as it can cause alterations in the salinity levels within Chilika, thereby directly influencing the availability of suitable prey for the dolphins. This, in turn, could potentially lead to instances of starvation or increased hunting efforts as they struggle to find sustenance.
Prominent among the prevailing challenges faced by Chilika is its status as a popular tourist destination and its linkage to the livelihood of certain fishermen who depend on dolphin-based tourism. Regrettably, misleading marketing practices often lure tourists towards dolphin watching activities, thereby posing severe threats to the Irrawaddy Dolphins due to boat collisions, noise pollution, and marine contamination. The collision of mechanized boats with dolphins has been identified as a significant cause of mortality, particularly during the peak tourist season.
Schematic showing anthropogenic and natural threats to Irrawaddy Dolphin in Chilika lagoon by Acharyya, T., Das, D.B., Raulo, S. et al. Surviving in a warming and crowded world: a review of Irrawaddy dolphin in Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. J Coast Conserv 27, 50 (2023).
To effectively conserve these precious creatures and maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem, the research study offers a series of crucial recommendations. These measures include the introduction of strict regulations pertaining to boat traffic management, such as the imposition of speed limits, delineation of no-entry zones during critical periods, and the promotion of quieter boat engines to minimize noise pollution. It is imperative to promote sustainable fishing practices that minimize the unintentional catch of dolphins and reduce the risk of entanglement. Furthermore, mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change through comprehensive emissions reduction strategies, adoption of sustainable energy sources, and the safeguarding of coastal ecosystems assumes paramount importance for the long-term stability of Chilika. Lastly, a paradigm shift should be advocated, moving away from focusing solely on species-centric conservation approaches to embracing ecosystem-based strategies, which are better equipped to ensure the enduring survival of the Irrawaddy Dolphins and the overall well-being of the Chilika ecosystem.
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