Important Facts for Prelims (28th December 2018) | 28 Dec 2018

Rise in salinity in the central and eastern water system of the Indian Sunderbans has resulted in the decrease of population of the Ganges River Dolphins in the region.
Researchers have found some evidence of the species only in the western part of Sunderbans, where the salinity is lower.
Reasons for rise in salinity:
- Lost connectivity with the upstream freshwater flow;
- Rise in sea level, triggered by climate change;
- Hydrological modifications like water diversion and commission of large barrages upstream.
Flow of freshwater to the Sunderbans is crucial for the subsistence of these species as it becomes difficult for the dolphin to remain submerged in waters with high salinity.
A higher rate of encounter were noted in rivers and stretches that had limited use of motorised boats, less river traffic and more country boats.
Earlier in 2018, it was reported that the Dolphin population also declined at the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS).

For the first time survey of various bird species, specifically the waterfowl was held in Kaziranga National Park.
Traditionally the focus of attention in the Kaziranga, has been the ‘big four’ — rhino, elephant, Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.
A good avifauna reflects on the health of the ecosystem, and the baseline survey will help to understand the population trend.

Endemic to Central kerala, the Pokkali paddy variety, which grows to a height of up to 2 metre, survived the devastating floods.
The GI-tagged Pokkali is a saltwater-tolerant paddy grown in the coastal fields of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala.
This traditional farming of Pokkali paddy is facing threat as farmers are not getting satisfactory return despite it fetches good price in the market.
Local societies, cooperative banks and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA) groups have stepped in to protect this variety of rice, which the local people believe has medicinal properties.
Pokkali is an ancient farming practice. One season of rice farming is alternated with another season of prawn culture.

In Kerala, the traditional glove puppet play is called Pavakoothu.
It came into existence during the 18th century due to the influence of Kathakali, the famous classical dance-drama of Kerala.
The head and the arms of puppet are carved of wood and joined together with thick cloth, cut and stitched into a small bag.
The face of the puppets are decorated with paints, small and thin pieces of gilded tin, the feathers of the peacock, etc.
The manipulator puts his hand into the bag and moves the hands and head of the puppet.
The theme for glove puppet plays in Kerala is based on the episodes from either the Ramayana or the Mahabharata.