Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?
- Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
- Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
- Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
- Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Dams and barrages fragment river habitats, restrict migration, isolate dolphin populations, and reduce prey availability.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Crocodile population increase is not a documented cause of dolphin decline; both species coexist in healthy river ecosystems.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Accidental entanglement in fishing nets (gillnets) is a major cause of mortality, leading to drowning of dolphins.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Agricultural chemical runoff pollutes rivers, contaminating prey species and causing bioaccumulation of toxins in dolphins.
Question 14 of 19 Endemic and Endangered Species
Practice PYQ questions from this topic across all years
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