India's national aquatic animal is the Ganges river dolphin
The Ganges River is thought to be home to 350 different fish species. A total of 143 fish species were reported in a large 2007-2009 survey. Cypriniformes (barbs and allies), Siluriformes (catfish), and Perciformes are the most varied orders (perciform fish). Each of them accounts for around 50%, 23%, and 14% of the total fish species in the drainage, respectively. Apart from fish, the Ganges is home to a variety of crocodiles, including the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). The freshwater Ganges river dolphin is the most well-known Ganges faunal component (Platanista gangetica gangetica). It is one of only five real freshwater dolphins in the world, found largely in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries. Furthermore, the Indian government has designated the Ganges river dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal. Aside from these, the river is known to contain a variety of bird species that are unique to India. Unfortunately, several of these species, like the Ganges river dolphin, have declined or are on the verge of extinction owing to a variety of reasons, including river pollution and human activity such as dam construction.
When you are asked the national aquatic animal in India, which animal do you think of? We quitely sure that this given fact surprised you a lot, right?
