Description

River Chambal is a refuge for the rare and endangered Gharial, Ganges River Dolphin and smooth-coated otter. Aquatuc mammals live in the Chambal river face threats due to intense hydrological alterations, and human extractive uses.Irrigation canals have further decreased the water flow in the river which made the river too shallow for the dolphins to navigate and survive.The commercial over fishing and sand mining along the river has affected the natural habit of aquatic mammals.However,the Ganges river dolphin and otters are reliable indicator species to understand the health of the river ecosystem.Studying indicator species could create the basis for a sustained research programme to see how the changes of the said species can be related to the health of the river system.To achieve this,reliable information of these species and their habitat is needed. This book, therefore,provides an important insight for the conservation of aquatic mammals.The analysis shed some light on conservation of aquatic mammals and their habitat. This book is especially useful to conservationist biologist, field researchres, graduate and post-graduate students.