Problems faced by River Dolphins

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The habitats of the Ganga River Dolphins are shrinking as smaller rivers are drying up and bigger rivers do not have uninterrupted flow of water in various parts. Thus the Ganga River Dolphins are perhaps one of the few creatures which face extinction due to the destruction of their habitat instead of being hunted or poached. Although, these river dolphins are hunted for their oil and sometimes they get stuck in the nets of the fishermen and die. By declaring the Ganga River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of India there will be some focus on the plight of these animals.

[EnB] National Seabuckthorn Initiative

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What is Seabuckthorn? What are the uses of Seabuckthron? What is National Seabuckthorn Initiative? What will they do? CSAT 2012 Actual Question Mock Questions for GS Mains (Paper I) Previous Articles under EnB

What is Seabuckthorn? Seabuckthorn (Leh berry) is a shrub It grows in the dry temperate and cold desert of the Himalayas. Found extensively in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttatrakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

What are the uses of Seabuckthron?

Has multi-purpose medicinal and nutritional properties, besides being useful for soil conservation and nitrogen fixation. Since this is the only plant that can grow in high altitude regions it can be easily used for water and soil conservation. Can aid in climate change mitigation and provide livelihoods support thereby reducing pressures on the ecosystem.

* Ideal plant for desertification control.

Every part of the plant viz. Fruit, leaf, twig, root and thorn has been traditionally used as medicine, nutritional supplement, fuel and fence, and therefore, seabuckthorn is popularly known as

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Wonder Plant, Ladakh Gold, Golden Bush or Gold Mine.

What is National Seabuckthorn Initiative?

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Indias National Action Plan on Climate Change It has a key Mission called Green India Mission Under this Green India Mission, there is a Sub-Mission on Cold Desert Ecosystems This Sub-Mission will include the National Seabuckthorn Initiative. In 2010, Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) and the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have jointly launched a major new national initiative for seabuckthorn cultivation in the high altitude, cold desert ecosystems of the country.

What will they do?

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Under this initiative, Eco Task Force Battalions and Womens Self-help groups will be mobilised for plantation of seabuckthorn in remote areas. Research and Development (R&D) for cultivation and commercial processing in collaboration with China, Russia, Pakistan, Germany etc nations where this plant is found.