Recent news that the Indian Central Government, in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority, chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had decided to declare the Ganges dolphin, Platanista gangetica gangetica, as national aquatic animal was most welcome to cetacean specialists and enthusiasts and environmentalists generally. Not quite so welcome was the announcement of Environment Minister cum Central
Zoo Authority Chair that the National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo) would catch and exhibit the species in order to raise public awareness.