Endangered Gangetic river dolphin poached in Malda

MALDA: A sub-adult river dolphin was allegedly poached on the banks of the Ganges in Malda’s Bhutni on Friday. A picture of the dolphin, the national aquatic animal, kept in the carrier of a cycle went viral on social networking sites on Friday morning.
Malda’s deputy CMOH I, Dr Nilanjan Pati, who saw the picture on a social networking site, said poaching of Gangetic river dolphin is rampant here.According to him, the dolphin was probably alive when the picture was taken. Wildlife activist Subhasis Sengupta said the picture was taken at Bhabanathtola in Bhutni. “It was probably poached at Hiranandapur ghat from where it was being taken to Mathurapur,” Sengupta said. DFO Koushik Sarkar said, “We are taking the matter seriously and have also informed the police.”
Dr Rajesh Saha, the medical officer of Bhutni primary health centre, also said that it was poached in Hiranandapur ghat. “I am into wildlife photography also. One of my friends showed me the picture today morning after which I alerted my friends who are associated with conservation work. Locals often extract an oil from the animal’s fat. This oil is used by people suffering from arthritis.”
The animal is protected under Schedule I of the wildlife protection act.