Mister Dolphin- The story of a man who committed himself to saving the Ganges River Dolphin
This is the story of an Indian man who spent 25 years of his life trying to save the Ganges River Dolphin from extinction. Pollution, growing human population density and industrialization were the threats that needed to be addressed. It was a huge task for a single man. His enthusiasm was rewarded.
He fought the traditions responsible for the killing of dolphins for the manufacture of a miraculous soft food based on their oil. Dolphin oil was used in local fisheries. R. K. Sinha, Professor of Zoology at Patna University, tried to find an oil substitute to catch fish. He started raising awareness among fishermen by informing them through an educational campaign. Polluting industries, agriculture and a construction boom that exploited the fine sand of the river all contributed to the degradation of the critical ecosystem.
Changes in legislation and the establishment of a sanctuary were major achievements. Killing dolphins could stop. The dolphin population then stabilized. R. K. Sinha was awarded the "Golden Ark" by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.
Then catastrophe happened: global warming and intensive water extraction for agriculture put further pressure on the River Ganges. The water temperature of the Ganges dropped because the ice of the Himalayan glaciers melted. The increasingly rare fish prompted an inflow of people into the slums of the cities along the river banks. This aggravated poverty and triggered social and human reactions.
The professor realized that he was overwhelmed by the upheavals which became evident and convened the "symposium". He appealed to politicians and the scientists of the world, to raise the alarm hoping that solutions and activities would reverse the critical and deteriorating situation. The holy status of the River Ganges and the point of view of religious authorities regarding the worsening situation were also important factors.
It is a film of 52 minutes that can raise awareness and save the Ganges River Dolphin from extinction. CMS hopes to raise funds for this critically endangered species.