1: Unveiling India's first National Dolphin Research Centre

- India's first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) manifests a crucial phase in the conservation efforts of endangered Gangetic dolphin.

- The NDRC, situated near the Ganga river in Bihar, intends to provide extensive research opportunities on several aspects concerning Gangetic dolphins, including their behaviour, causes of their mortality, and survival abilities.

- Approximately half of India's estimated stock of 3,000 Gangetic dolphins reside in the state of Bihar.

2: Journeying through the life of the Ganga River Dolphin

- Officially discovered in 1801, the Ganga River Dolphin, also named as the "Tiger of the Ganges," lives in the major river systems of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. This includes Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems.

- These dolphins, fundamentally blind and freshwater-dependent, are known to hunt using ultrasonic sounds for echolocation of their prey.

- Mothers and calves are often found travelling together in small groups or solitude.

- A typical Ganga dolphin surfaces every 30-120 seconds for breathing, earning it the popular name 'Susu'.

- Females are generally larger than males and birth a single calf every two to three years.

3: Importance and threats encountered by the Ganga River Dolphin

- Declared as the National Aquatic Animal in 2009, the Ganga River Dolphin symbolises a significant indicator of the health of the river ecosystem.

- However, they face considerable threats like unintentional killing due to entanglement in fishing gear, poaching for medicinal dolphin oil, and habitat destruction due to pollution, development projects, and increasing vessel traffic.

4: Conserving the legacy through protective measures

- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Ganga River Dolphin as endangered.

- It is enlisted under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) lists it under Appendix I and CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) under Appendix 1.

- Bihar has established the Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary for its conservation.

- In addition, India celebrates National Ganga River Dolphin Day on October 5 each year.

- The Indian government has also initiated 'Project Dolphin' as a part of its conservation efforts.

This centre's establishment will boost the research and conservation efforts of the endangered Gangetic Dolphins in India. Carrying immense ecological significance, their conservation will help in preserving the health and biodiversity of the Ganga River.