Dehradun, 14 January (H.S.): Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil declared that rivers must be viewed not merely as water flows but as life-sustaining ecological systems. The true health of any river is indicated by the aquatic biodiversity thriving within it.

On Wednesday, at the Wildlife Institute of India here, Minister Patil inaugurated several far-reaching initiatives under the Namami Gange Mission linked to aquatic biodiversity conservation. During this special program, he launched projects focused on river rejuvenation and aquatic life protection.

Attendees included Dr. Vinay Kumar Ruhela, Vice Chairman of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority; Dr. Govind Sagar Bhardwaj, Director of the Wildlife Institute of India; Rajiv Kumar Mittal, Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga; along with senior officials, researchers, experts, and students.

The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti announced that, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India under the Namami Gange program, a dedicated Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation Centre has been established for the Ganga and other rivers. The Minister dedicated this centre to the nation.

Functioning as a monitoring hub for aquatic life conservation in the Ganga and other major rivers across the country, it will provide an organized and advanced institutional framework for monitoring and protecting aquatic species.He emphasized that, through modern technology, scientific research, and data-driven decision-making, this centre will form a robust foundation for the conservation and long-term security of aquatic species.

In the future, it will play a guiding role in policy formulation, research, and conservation strategies. The centre houses laboratories for environmental toxicology, aquatic ecology, and spatial ecology, where water and aquatic species samples will be tested to identify sensitive areas.

Additionally, a micro-plastics laboratory has been set up to detect and study micro-plastics present in river ecosystems.During the event, the Dolphin Rescue Ambulance from TSAFI was also inaugurated. This ambulance will deliver rapid, sensitive, and scientifically equipped life-saving services for distressed Ganga dolphins.

The Minister stated that the Ganga dolphin serves as a sensitive indicator of river health, and this initiative reflects the government's seriousness toward aquatic life conservation. It marks a significant achievement in the National Mission for Clean Ganga's dolphin conservation efforts and will play a vital role in protecting India's national aquatic animal.

Minister Patil also interacted with researchers and MSc students from the Wildlife Institute of India. Praising the two-year postgraduate course in freshwater ecology and conservation launched by the institute under Namami Gange, he noted that it will equip future conservationists with scientific and policy-oriented skills for protecting India's rivers, wetlands, and freshwater ecosystems.He commended the commitment of students who have chosen this specialized course.

The Minister planted trees in the Wildlife Institute campus, dedicating the activity to the Prime Minister-inspired One Tree in the Name of Mother campaign. He remarked that tree plantation is an essential component of the Namami Gange program and plays a crucial role in conserving river ecosystems.

The program also formally launched the Indian Skimmer Conservation Project, operated by the Bombay Natural History Society. This project will accelerate efforts to protect rare bird species in the Ganga's riverine coastal areas.

Furthermore, discussions highlighted the success of the first phase of TSAFI's turtle conservation project.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar