Toxic Chemicals in Ganga Pose Threat to Endangered Gangetic Dolphins
| 2025-05-17
A new study warns that chemical pollutants in the Ganga river are endangering India’s Gangetic dolphins
A new study warns that chemical pollutants in the Ganga river are endangering India’s Gangetic dolphins, with industrial and agricultural waste key contributors.
A peer-reviewed study published in the journal Heliyon has found that Gangetic dolphins, India’s national aquatic animal, are being exposed to harmful levels of industrial and agricultural chemicals through their diet. The research warns that these contaminants could have severe consequences for the health and reproduction of the species, already under threat from habitat degradation and human activity.
The study assessed the dietary risk posed by 39 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with hormonal systems. These substances were found in fish commonly consumed by the dolphins, which inhabit sections of the Ganga river and its tributaries.
According to the researchers, high levels of two industrial phthalates—di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP)—were found in the dolphins' food sources. These compounds are widely used in the production of plastics and consumer goods.
In addition to industrial pollutants, the presence of banned pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Lindane (a form of hexachlorocyclohexane) suggests ongoing violations of environmental regulations in the Ganga basin.
"The exposure levels suggest significant ecological risk to the species, particularly from persistent pollutants that remain active in the environment for extended periods," the study stated.
Declining Population and Shrinking Habitat
The Gangetic dolphin population has seen a drastic decline of more than 50 percent since 1957. Its current range has also contracted by nearly 25 percent. Although protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972—affording it the highest level of legal protection—the species continues to face multiple survival challenges.
There are only five species of river dolphins left worldwide, all of which are currently considered threatened. The study drew parallels with the Yangtze river dolphin, or baiji, which was declared functionally extinct in China in the early 2000s due to unchecked industrial activity and loss of habitat.
Multiple Pollution Sources
The contamination identified in the study is attributed to a mix of environmental stressors, including untreated industrial waste from sectors such as textiles, runoff from fertiliser and pesticide-heavy agriculture, emissions from vehicles, and poor management of solid waste. The growing pressure of tourism in ecologically sensitive stretches of the river is further exacerbating the problem.
EDCs pose a particular risk due to their ability to mimic or interfere with natural hormones in mammals, impacting growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Because these chemicals accumulate in the food chain and persist in ecosystems, even small concentrations can cause long-term biological damage.
Key Pollutants Identified
While standard toxicity assessments based on general thresholds suggested relatively low immediate danger, the study applied a more precise method known as the "reference dose" approach. This revealed high-risk exposure levels to seven major pollutants: DEHP, DnBP, DDT, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
These findings prompted the researchers to recommend the urgent inclusion of these substances in national dolphin monitoring and conservation initiatives. They also called for the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework to assess and manage chemical contamination in India’s rivers.
Call for Policy Action
Despite existing legal protections, the report warns that laws alone are insufficient without enforcement and sustained pollution control. The study urges Indian authorities to translate conservation policy into measurable action to safeguard riverine biodiversity.
The findings form part of a broader set of ecological studies made available on a new digital portal launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The platform aims to increase public access to environmental data and support informed decision-making in river conservation efforts.
Context:
The Ganga river, stretching over 2,500 kilometres across northern India, is both a vital waterway and a spiritual symbol. However, decades of industrialisation, rapid urbanisation, and lax enforcement of environmental standards have led to high levels of pollution. Various government initiatives, including the National Mission for Clean Ganga, have aimed to restore the river's health, but experts warn that sustained and science-led interventions are essential to reverse long-term damage.
The Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is not only a flagship species for freshwater conservation but also an indicator of river ecosystem health. Its declining numbers signal wider environmental challenges facing India’s inland waters.
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