Mumbai: Three months after it was first announced, cabinet minister for forests, Sudhir Mungatiwar, on Tuesday approved the first ever population estimation study of dolphins and finless porpoises in and around Mumbai’s coastline. The proposal had been tabled earlier by the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation. The survey will start in October and may be completed within 18 months, at a budget of ₹33.16 lakh.
The exercise will be carried out in collaboration with the Coastal Conservation Foundation (CCF), along 70kms of shoreline, and within 10kms of it. This is the first time an official assessment of this magnitude will occur in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
“It is a matter of pride for the entire country that Maharashtra has decided to undertake such a unique study to document the wealth of its biodiversity. It echoes the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on August 15, 2020, on Project Dolphin that focuses on the long term conservation and protection of dolphins in rivers and in oceans of the country,” Mungantiwar said.
The study area will cover the western seaboard starting at the mouth of the Vaitarna river in the north to the Thane creek in the south as well as the southern tip of Greater Mumbai. The area will also include multiple bays such as Back Bay, Haji Ali and Mahim Bay as well as five river mouths in MMR including Mithi, Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara and Vaitarna, which represents the habitat preferred by the two focal species – dolphins and porpoises.
Earlier this year, a preliminary study by the CCF determined the population and habitat usage of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in the Backbay region of south Mumbai with 27 confirmed sightings (of dolphins), of which the largest group comprised six individuals.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
Dozen students injured, three critical in SUV-cash van collision
At least twelve students sustained injuries on Monday evening when a Bolero SUV carrying them collided with a cash van near Kolhuwa crossing under Khukhundu police station of district Deoria of Gorakhpur division. According to police sources, one dozen students of Bahadur Yadav Memorial PG College were returning to Deoria after taking part in a farewell party when the incident happened. The injured are undergoing treatment and the police have started investigation into the incident.
-
![Professor from department of medicine, DMCH, Ludhiana, Dr Rajesh Mahajan delivered a talk on management of sepsis. (HT FILE)]( "Professor from department of medicine, DMCH, Ludhiana, Dr Rajesh Mahajan delivered a talk on management of sepsis. (HT FILE)")
Experts hold session on sepsis at DMCH in Ludhiana
To mark World Sepsis Day, the department of microbiology of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) organised an awareness session on Tuesday. Speaking about sepsis, experts said it occurs when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It may lead to shock, multi-organ failure or even death, if not treated. A quiz was also organised on the occasion and Dr Ramandeep Singh (surgery) was declared winner.
-
Indian Swachhta league: Authorities urge residents to contribute towards ‘garbage-free’ Ludhiana
Participating in the first-ever Indian Swachhta league, the district municipal corporation has urged residents to join the ‘Ludhiana Lions’ team formed by the MC to vie in the inter-city competition— announced by the union ministry of housing and urban affairs— towards building garbage-free cities . Under the initiative, different events will be organised by the civic body on September 17, including cleanliness drive, drawing competitions, cycle rally, nukkad natak etc, at Nehru Rose garden.
-
![UP jal shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh at the AKTU campus. (HT Photo)]( "UP jal shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh at the AKTU campus. (HT Photo)")
AKTU to provide technical support to state in water management
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University will provide technical support in water management to the state government. UP jal shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh, during a meeting with AKTU vice chancellor Professor Pradeep Kumar Mishra, asked the technical university to cooperate with the government in water management. The VC has promised for providing AKTU’s cooperation so that the work of water management could be executed properly.
-
Letter to CJI: OBA president opposes elevation of SC lawyers as HC judges
The president of the Oudh Bar Association of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has opposed the elevation of advocates practicing at the Supreme Court as judges of the Allahabad high court. Chaudhary’s letter to the CJI comes days after president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Vikas Singh gave a statement advocating elevation of Supreme Court advocates as judges of high court.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest For Top Stories News Click Here
