Stress on proper conservation of dolphins

PATNA: Noted environmentalist and Patna University zoology department head R K Sinha on Monday emphasized the need of proper conservation of dolphins for keeping our rivers clean.
The dolphin, which has been declared the national aquatic animal, is already endangered and, if strict laws are not framed for its protection, it may soon become extinct, he said.
Delivering a keynote address at the two-day national seminar on ‘Current trends in life sciences’, organized by the school of earth, biological and environmental sciences, Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), at the auditorium of Bihar Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (BAMETI), Sinha pointed out that latest studies indicate that a total of 3,607 dolphins are found in the Ganga and its tributaries.In December last year, his team of researchers had spotted altogether 40 dolphins in the Ganga crossing Patna region, he said.
Inaugurating the seminar, CUSB pro-vice-chancellor O P Rai said the latest findings in biological sciences have resulted in the production of new medicines for various deadly diseases.
Rajendra Medical Research Institute (RMRI) director Pradip Das said the researchers of the institute have been successful in controlling kala-azar to a great extent. There has not been a single death reported from Vaishali district in 2016, he said.
Seminar convener Rizwanul Haque welcomed the participants. CUSB vice-chancellor R S Rathore called upon the young participants to carry out research activities with complete dedication and focused approach for the best outcome.
S Gourinath from JNU, Subodh Sinha and G Abraham from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, and Laishram Singh from University of Delhi also gave their presentations at the seminar.