Question

There used to be plenty of dolphins living in the Ganges river but now, very few are left. What could be the possible reason(s) for this?

• A. Increase in the contamination level of the river.
• B. Harmful chemicals released made the river water toxic.
• C. Industrial effluents dumped degraded the health of the river.
• D. River current increases significantly compared to sea.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

Industrial effluents dumped degraded the health of the river.

The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater. In the last few decades, the level of pollution in the river Ganges has increased in significant amount. The disposal of untreated sewage, industrial wastage, traditional rituals has contaminated the water which makes the survival of dolphins difficult. Hence, they started dying and are now present in lesser number.