Shibsha Dolphin Sanctuary

Shibsha Dolphin Sanctuary
Map showing the location of Shibsha Dolphin Sanctuary
Map showing the location of Shibsha Dolphin Sanctuary
Location in Bangladesh
LocationKhulna, Khulna Division, Bangladesh
Coordinates22°30′N 89°42′E / 22.50°N 89.70°E / 22.50; 89.70
Area2,155 hectares (21.55 km²)
Established2020
Governing bodyBangladesh Forest Department


Shibsha Dolphin Sanctuary (Bengali: শিবসা শুশুক অভয়ারণ্য) is a designated dolphin sanctuary located in the Shibsha River in the Sundarbans area of Khulna District, Bangladesh. On 4 March 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Bangladesh) officially declared it a protected area under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012[1][2][3].[4] The main objective of the sanctuary is to ensure the conservation and reproductive safety of the Ganges river dolphin and the Irrawaddy dolphin.[5][6]

Location and area

The sanctuary covers a section of the Shibsha River located between Dacope and Paikgachha in Khulna District. It spans about 2,155 hectares (21.55 square kilometres).[7][8] The Shibsha River lies in the eastern part of the Sundarbans and serves as an important habitat for local fisheries and aquatic biodiversity.[9][10]

History

Due to the declining numbers of river and coastal cetaceans in Bangladesh, the government initiated the declaration of special aquatic sanctuaries under the Wildlife Act of 2012.[11][12] In 2020, nine rivers and estuaries were simultaneously declared dolphin sanctuaries, including Shibsha. Prior to the declaration, joint surveys by the Forest Department and UNDP found that the density of Ganges river dolphins in the Shibsha River was comparatively high.[13]

Biodiversity

The sanctuary is home mainly to two species of freshwater and coastal dolphins:

  • Ganges river dolphin ( Platanista gangetica gangetica)[14]
  • Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)

Additionally, the river supports various species of fish, crabs, shrimp, and birds, which play an important role in maintaining the balance of local biodiversity.[15]

Conservation and challenges

The Bangladesh Forest Department has formed Dolphin Conservation Teams in the sanctuary area.[16] These teams raise awareness among local fishermen, prevent the use of illegal nets (especially gillnets), and assist in rescuing injured dolphins.[17] Directives have also been issued to control boat speeds and prevent pollution in the sanctuary.[18]

Challenges

Major challenges to the Shibsha Dolphin Sanctuary include:

  • Excessive boat traffic and noise pollution
  • Use of illegal fishing nets and methods
  • Water pollution and industrial waste discharge
  • Increased salinity due to climate change[19]

Conservation experts believe that without sustainable management and local community involvement, achieving long-term success will be difficult.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "বন্যপ্রাণী (সংরক্ষণ ও নিরাপত্তা) আইন, ২০১২". Laws of Bangladesh (bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd) (in Bengali). Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Bangladesh. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  2. ^ "Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012 [English translation]" (PDF). FAOLEX. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  3. ^ "বন্যপ্রাণী (সংরক্ষণ ও নিরাপত্তা) আইন, ২০১২ [Bangladesh Code PDF]" (PDF). Bangladesh Code (bdcode.gov.bd) (in Bengali). Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Government of Bangladesh. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  4. ^ "গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার: পরিবেশ, বন ও জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন মন্ত্রণালয়ের বিজ্ঞপ্তি—পানখালী, শিবসা ও ভদ্রা বন্যপ্রাণী (ডলফিন) অভয়ারণ্য ঘোষণা [Declaration of Pankhali, Shibsha & Vadra Wildlife (Dolphin) Sanctuaries]" (PDF). Bangladesh Gazette (Extraordinary) (in Bengali). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  5. ^ "Conservation Action Plan for Ganges River Dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin of Bangladesh, 2021–2030" (PDF). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) & UNDP Bangladesh. 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  6. ^ "সুন্দরবনে শুশুকের অভয়ারণ্য". BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  7. ^ "Protected Area Profile: Shibsha". Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas). UNEP-WCMC. 2025-08-13. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  8. ^ "Shibsa River". Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. banglapedia. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  9. ^ "Bangladesh Tropical Forest and Biodiversity (FAA 118/119) Analysis—Final Report" (PDF). USAID / NORC at the University of Chicago. 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  10. ^ "ডলফিন সুরক্ষায় ৯টি এলাকা অভয়ারণ্য ঘোষণা: মন্ত্রী". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  11. ^ স্টাফ করেসপন্ডেন্ট (2022-10-24). "ডলফিন সুরক্ষায় ৯টি এলাকা অভয়ারণ্য ঘোষণা: মন্ত্রী [Nine areas declared dolphin sanctuaries: Minister]". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  12. ^ "Terminal Evaluation of "Expanding the Protected Area System to Incorporate Important Aquatic Ecosystems" (GEF 5099)" (PDF). GEF Independent Evaluation Office. 2020-06-28. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  13. ^ Smith, Brian D.; Gill Braulik; Samantha Strindberg; Benazir Ahmed; Rubaiyat Mansur (2006-07-01). "Abundance of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) and Ganges River dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) estimated using concurrent counts made by independent teams in waterways of the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh". Marine Mammal Science. 22 (3): 527–547. Bibcode:2006MMamS..22..527S. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00041.x. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  14. ^ "Review of Scientific Knowledge of the Ganges river dolphin" (PDF). River dolphin. WWF Global River Dolphins Initiative. 2021-07-01. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  15. ^ Smith, Brian D.; M. Abdullah Abu Diyan; Rubaiyat M. Mansur; Elisabeth F. Mansur; Benazir Ahmed (2010-04-06). "Identification and channel characteristics of cetacean hotspots in waterways of the eastern Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh". Oryx. 44 (2): 241–247. doi:10.1017/S0030605309990159. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  16. ^ "বন্যপ্রানী অভয়ারণ্য—তালিকা (শিবসা বন্যপ্রাণী (ডলফিন) অভয়ারণ্যসহ) [List of Wildlife Sanctuaries including Shibsha Wildlife (Dolphin) Sanctuary]". Bangladesh Forest Department (in Bengali). Government of Bangladesh. 2024-08-19. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  17. ^ "Dolphin number rising in Sundarbans sanctuaries". The Business Standard. 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  18. ^ Pinaki Roy (2024-03-21). "Sundarbans at stake as movement of vessels multiplied". Prothom Alo (English). Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  19. ^ "Banned but abundant, gillnets pose main threat to Bangladesh's river dolphins". Mongabay. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  20. ^ Richman, Nadia I.; James M. Gibbons; Samuel T. Turvey; Tomonari Akamatsu; Benazir Ahmed; Emile Mahabub; Brian D. Smith; Julia P. G. Jones (2014-05-07). "To See or Not to See: Investigating Detectability of Ganges River Dolphins Using a Combined Visual–Acoustic Survey". PLOS ONE. 9 (5): e96811. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...996811R. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0096811. PMC 4013050.
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