11 Animals That Live In The Ganga River

India's holy river, the Ganga, is the lifeline of millions settled along its stretch of around 2,525 km from the western Himalayas to the Ganga Delta, opening into the Bay of Bengal. The river has witnessed thousands of years of rich Indian history and the rise and fall of so many great empires. It is also worshipped as a deity, Goddess Ganga. In addition to its historical, cultural, and religious significance, the Ganga and its tributaries also teem with biodiversity. The river system is home to the critically endangered gharial crocodilians and the endangered Gangetic river dolphins. Threatened species of otters also live along its banks. The river system also welcomes many species of migratory birds in winter. The endangered Indian skimmers and black-bellied terns build their nests on the sand bars of the river. It is also home to the gorgeous golden mahseer fish, an endangered fish with a declining population. Many species of threatened turtles and amphibians also inhabit this historical river. In this article, learn about ten such animals found in the Ganga River and the threats they face.

1. Indian Skimmer

Endangered Indian skimmer in the Chambal River. Image credit: Arindam Bhattacharya via Flickr.com.

The Ganga River basin, with its rivers, marshes, lakes, and flooded wetlands, attracts many species of migratory birds as well as houses a diversity of resident avian species. Many protected areas along the basin are dedicated to protecting these birds. The Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is one such species that lives in the basin area, with nearly 80% of its breeding population occurring in the Chambal River, a tributary of the Yamuna River, the largest tributary of the Ganga.  

The Indian skimmer is a beautiful-looking bird with bright orange-yellow beaks, with the lower one longer than the upper one. It is called "skimmer" because it flies above the water surface while skimming for fish with its lower extended mandible.

The Indian skimmer is an endangered species that faces threats primarily due to its ground-nesting habit on sand bars and islands in the river. The bird scrapes out a nest in the sand in a sand island/bar in the river and lays eggs in it. Such sand bars are usually surrounded on all sides by water, keeping the nests safe from predators. However, the problem occurs when the river's water level changes due to human interference. For example, a sudden release of water from the dams in the Chambal River can flood the sand bars and flush out the nests of these birds. On the other hand, when the river water falls too low due to extreme summers, the sand bars get connected with the banks, allowing predators like dogs and foxes to approach the nests and eat the eggs. Trampling by cattle and humans and egg collection by people also occur when during such dry periods. Illegal sand mining is also a major threat to the species. Overfishing also depleted the prey base of these birds, causing their populations to shrink.

2. Black-bellied Tern

Black-bellied tern at National Chambal Sanctuary in India, Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Image credit: Godbolemandar via Wikimedia Commons.

Another endangered bird species, the black-bellied tern (Sterna acuticauda), suffers quite the same fate as the Indian skimmer. Once again, its nesting habit in the sand subjects it to the same risks as the Indian skimmer. The Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh is also one of the last refuges of this bird's breeding population. The National Chambal Sanctuary, which protects a large section of this river, serves as a blessing for both the Indian skimmer and the black-bellied tern. According to estimates, around 1,000 mature individuals of this species survive in India.

3. Gangetic River Dolphin

A Gangetic River dolphin. Image credit: MSH Sourav via Wikimedia Commons.

The critically endangered Gangetic river dolphin once thrived in the Ganga from Haridwar to the Sundarbans in thousands. One of the world's four freshwater-exclusive dolphin species, the Platanista gangetica's presence indicates a healthy riverine ecosystem. However, the species has dwindled over the centuries from around 10,000 at the end of the 19th century to just over an estimated 3,500 in the early 2000s. Currently, it is an endangered species distributed primarily within the main stem of the Ganga and its major tributaries, and it has disappeared from the large parts of its historical range. The species now faces severe habitat fragmentation due to the construction of numerous dams, barrages and other obstructions in the rivers. It also suffers from water pollution, deaths as bycatch, loss of prey base, hydrological changes, and more.

4. Otters

Smooth-coated otters. Image credit: Rk20julyvia Wikimedia Commons.

Three species of otters have been recorded in the Ganges river: smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), and Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). The evidence of these animals' presence is obtained from direct observations or through the study of signs of their presence, like footprints and spraints. However, the former is rare as these animals are nocturnal and elusive. The present distribution of these semi-aquatic mammals is primarily restricted to stretches of the Ganges and its tributaries flowing through protected areas with good vegetation cover and fish diversity. It is estimated that the population of these otter species is decreasing due to threats like human disturbance, habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation, pollution, and even poaching and illegal trade.

5. Gharial

A male gharial in the Chambal River. Image credit: Charles J. Sharp via Wikimedia Commons.

India is home to three species of crocodilians, all three of whom inhabit the Ganga river basin.

 The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is the rarest of all. It is critically endangered, with only around 1,000 individuals surviving in the wild. An earthen pot-like protrusion at the end of the snout of male gharials gives the species its name as "ghara" in the local language means pot. The gharials are almost exclusively fish-eating species with their long, narrow snouts designed to catch fish and not any large species. Hence, gharials are hardly known to attack humans. The National Chambal Sanctuary, which protects the Chambal River, is home to the majority of the gharials. A Gharial Rearing Centre in the sanctuary in Morena helps raise gharial hatchlings in the safety of the centre before they are released in the Chambal. Gharials are found in small numbers in the Girwa River in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, the main stem of the Ganga, and some other smaller rivers. Gharials are extremely sensitive to environmental changes, and hence, their numbers have drastically declined over the years due to habitat loss, illegal sand mining, dam construction, pollution, overfishing as bycatch, and more. They also lay their eggs in sand, making their nests extremely vulnerable to threats.

6. Mugger

A mugger crocodile on the river bank. Image credit: Kandukuru Nagarjun via Flickr.com.

The mugger or marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a freshwater species with a much wider distribution in the Ganga basin than the gharial because of its ability to adapt better. However, it is also declared as a vulnerable species by the IUCN due to declining numbers. The Chambal River is once again a stronghold of this crocodilian species as well. The mugger benefitted from Project Crocodile, which was launched in the 1970s to protect the gharial, which then numbered only around 100. The species is also found across nearly the entire Ganga River drainage area. It is found in the main stem of the Ganga, its many tributaries and distributaries, and many lakes, reservoirs, ponds, etc., in the drainage area of the river and beyond. Besides the Chambal, the Ramganga River flowing through Corbett National Park and Gujarat are known to host significant numbers of this species.

The mugger has a wide prey base, feeding on a variety of prey species, from insects and fish to large mammals like monkeys, dogs, cattle, and goats. Muggers are also known to attack humans on some occasions.

7. Saltwater Crocodile

A saltwater crocodile in the Sundarbans. Image credit: Fabian Roudra Baroi via Wikimedia Commons

The saltwater croc (Crocodylus porosus) is truly massive, weighing as much as 1,500 kg and growing as long as 20 ft! As the name suggests, it survives in salt water and hence, is found in the sea near the coasts. In the Ganga basin area, it occurs in the Ganga Delta region in the Sundarbans, where the freshwater meets the seawater of the Bay of Bengal. Several human deaths in the Sundarbans have been due to attacks by these crocodiles, which are extremely powerful and can easily take down large-sized prey. After Nile crocodiles, saltwater crocs are considered to be most likely to prey on humans. Outside the Ganga delta region, the species has a wide distribution extending from coastal India to Australia, and hence, is a "Least Concern" species on the IUCN Red List.

8. Turtle

An Indian roofed turtle. Image credit: Mike Prince via Flickr.com.

India is rich in turtle diversity, housing 24 species of turtles and two tortoise species. Of these, 14 turtle and one tortoise species are found in the Ganga. These reptilians are extremely vital to the riverine ecosystem, controlling the aquatic plant population, keeping the environment clean through their scavenging action, and also serving as food to numerous species. However, many of these turtle species are highly threatened due to habitat destruction, death as bycatch during irresponsible fishing practices, poaching for meat and eggs, and more.

Here are 13 species of turtles found in the Ganga River basin:

• Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga) - Critically endangered
• Northern river terrapin (Batagur baska) - Critically endangered
• Three-striped roofed turtle (Batagur dhongoka) - Critically endangered
• Spotted pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) - Endangered
• Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) - Least Concern
• Brown roofed turtle (Pangshura smithii) - Near Threatened
• Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta) - Vulnerable
• Crowned river turtle (Hardella thurjii) - Endangered
• Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) - Least Concern
• Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) - Endangered
• Indian peacock softshell turtle (Nilssonia hurum) - Endangered
• Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra indica) - Endangered
• Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) - Vulnerable

9. Amphibians

Indian bull frog. Image credit: Rajan007RJ via Wikimedia Commons.

The Ganga River is home to around 90 amphibian species. These semi-aquatic animals are vital to the ecosystem by forming a major component of the aquatic and terrestrial food chains, act as ecological indicators and efficient biological pest controllers. Many of these species are threatened with habitat loss and diseases. Different species of amphibians are distributed across the stretch of the Ganga from 3000 m above sea level to its delta region. The Amolops chakrataensis is an endemic species found only in a small stretch of area in Chakrata in Uttarakhand. Here are some amphibians found in the Ganga River:

Cascade frog (Amolops formosus)

Himalaya paa frog (Nanorana vicina)

Indian bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus)

Marbled toad (Duttaphrynus stomaticus)

Nepal paa frog (Nanorana minica)

Tytler’s pond frog (Hylarana tytleri)

Jerdon’s bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus crassus)

Dudhwa tree frog (Chiromantis dudhwaensis)

Annandale’s paa frog (Nanorana annandalii)

10. Ganges Shark

Sketch of the Ganges shark. 

The Ganga River is home to around 240 species of fish that act as a major protein source for millions of humans settled along its banks. Among them is the critically endangered Ganges shark (Glyphis gangeticus). There are very few reports of sightings of this species in recent years. After a single sighting in 2006, the next one was reported in 2016 in a Mumbai fish market. The species is known to live in coastal waters, estuaries, and large tidal rivers where human disturbance is maximum. Over the years, many Ganges sharks have died when caught as bycatch by the fishing industry. Dam construction, sand mining, coastal construction, poaching, etc., are some of the many threats to this species. Only around 240 mature individuals of the species possibly survive in the wild today, as per IUCN.

11. Golden Mahaseer

Golden mahaseer. Image credit: Charles J. Sharp via Wikimedia Commons.

The beautiful golden mahaseer fish (Tor putitora) is also a threatened fish species found in the Ganga. It is found in the river's upper reaches as it flows through the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It occurs in rapid streams, riverine pools and lakes. The Ramganga River is one of the tributaries that houses a significant population of this species. The golden mahaseer is endangered and faces threats like overfishing and habitat disturbance. It is a popular gamefish that can grow as long as 9 feet and weigh as much as 54 kg!

For more information: Click: https://nmcg.nic.in/pdf/Status%20report%2010%2005%202018_WII%20(1).pdf