Water in the right quantity and quality is critical to the survival of aquatic biodiversity. Multiple threats take their toll, but uncontrolled and commercial exploitation by man has been the single-most damaging factor to species such as freshwater turtles of the Ganga. As an indicator species, freshwater turtle can provide invaluable information on the health of river Ganga’s ecosystem. Thus conservation efforts urgently need to be stepped up.

December 2007 saw the confirmed splashing of several beautiful dolphins. Mothers with their enrapturing calves, adult males on their lonesome quest for food and mate and juveniles swishing the murky waters till darkness descended.

The Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) was a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River in China.