SILCHAR: Alarmed at the fast dwindling dolphins in the river system of Barak in southern Assam, the nature campaigners, Powlen Singha, BK Dutta and SP Biswas, who are also academicians, have called for stricter enforcement of protection laws for the surviving species. According to them, the Ganges river dolphin lies at the apex of food chain in the river ecosystem. Its global population is a little over 1200. It is categorized endangered by the global agency for the protection and preservation of the flora and fauna, IUCN. The species is included in the schedule 1 of Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Powlen Singha, teacher in the Department of Chemistry of Cachar College, BK Dutta, head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, and SP Biswas, Professor in the Department of Life Science, Dibrugarh University, who have carried out detailed study of the plight of river dolphin, said that as in other rivers in its distribution range in the Ganges- Brahmaputra- Meghna and the Karnaphuli- Sangu river systems, its existence is also threatened in the river Barak. It is the National Aquatic animal of the country and State Aquatic animal of Assam. According to their studies , during the last 10 years, dolphins have been found to congregate at and between two spots in the entire 123 km long plain course of the river Barak. The dolphin congregation spots have been found to have some geomorphologic characteristic, besides hydrological and physico-chemical features and abundance of fish. Almost every year, after a few showers of pre monsoon rains, new born dolphins have also been observed at and near the two spots. Though NGO Science Society has carried out periodic campaign to create awareness among people in general about the endangered dolphin and spotted an area near Badrighat, not far off from here, and even sought the help of the district administration as well as the forest department for their protection, nothing concrete has emerged. In fact, in the absence of surveillance and vigilance, dolphins remain unguarded and unprotected. No concrete protective measures have been taken for their preservation. The number of dolphins is on ever decrease. Their studies further say that dolphin population during dry months has declined from 14 in 1999-2000 to 8 in 2008-2009. Among the various reasons behind their decreasing number is the availability of fish, their main food for sustenance, which is becoming scarce near their spots. Loss and degradation of habitats are rampant and dolphin deaths and killings during fishing activities continue. The naturalists have expressed concern at the fact that after showing interest initially by the administration and the forest wing, there is no effective protective step to save the endangered species. Besides level of awareness among people is low. In these circumstances, if immediate measures are not taken by the NGOs in coordination with the administration, forest department and local populace, dolphins are destined to become extinct from Barak. The nature campaigners have suggested that in order to meet the challenge and to tide over this situation, strict enforcement of protection laws, maintenance and improvement of conditions of dolphin habitats, creation of a sanctuary at suitable spot in Barak, adoption of high quality conservation measures and increasing awareness among people are called for with the seriousness it deserves.