PM Modi praises India's first dolphin rescue ambulance; here's all you need to know about it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the Indias first dedicated dolphin rescue ambulance under the Namami Gange programme highlighting its role in saving a stranded Gangetic dolphin in Uttar PradeshThe prime minister described the effort as a step towards protecting the biodiversity of the Ganga riverDuring the 134th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday Modi referred to the recent rescue operation in which a Gangetic dolphin trapped in a canal was safely rescued treated and released back into the Rapti riverIndias first Ganga dolphin rescue ambulance played a huge role in this This incident took place in Uttar Pradesh A Gangetic dolphin was trapped in a canal thereAt that time this ambulance built under the Namami Gange Abhiyan reached there as a ray of hope It was then carefully pulled out It was examined it was treated and then it was safely released into the Rapti river In a way a life returned home he saidPM Modi said the dolphin rescue ambulance is very special and has been designed like a mobile hospital for keeping the aquatic mammal safe during the rescue effortsIt has oxygen facilities special stretchers and rescue equipment This means that if a dolphin gets injured gets stuck in a canal or gets cut off from the river it can be helped immediately he saidEmphasising the ecological significance of the species the prime minister said conserving the Gangetic dolphin goes beyond protecting a single animalFriends when we save the Gangetic dolphin we dont just save a species we save the biodiversity of the Ganga We save the rivers entire life system and preserve a priceless natural heritage for our future generations he saidDolphin rescue by Indias first dedicated ambulanceIndias first dolphin rescue ambulance launched early this year under the Namami Gange Mission has helped rescue and release eight Ganga dolphins so far the National Mission for Clean Ganga NMCG said last month while sharing details of its latest rescue operation in Uttar Pradeshs Gonda districtIn a post on X the NMCG had said an adult male Ganga dolphin was found trapped in a canal in Gonda cut off from the river and stranded in shallow waterThe Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and TSA Turtle Survival Alliance India team arrived at the scene After 13 hours of relentless effort the dolphin was safely rescued given a medical checkup and released back into the Rapti River the mission had saidDescribing the operation as another success story for the specialised rescue facility the NMCG said the dolphin ambulance has emerged as a crucial intervention mechanism for conserving the endangered Ganga river dolphinThis Dolphin Ambulance is not just a vehicle It is Indias first such facility launched in January 2026 and since then eight Ganga dolphins have been rescued and released back into the river the post saidThe Ganga dolphin Indias national aquatic animal is found mainly in the GangaBrahmaputra river system The NMCG said the estimated population of the species currently stands at around 6324This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever