Dolphins

A poem by Charu Sharma

The author Anthony Williams has rightly quoted, “some of the greatest minds on earth live in seas”. And we all are well aware of the cute and cuddly, genius creatures on this planet, the Dolphins!! And when it comes to our national aquatic animal, it is indeed the Gangetic River Dolphin, one of the four species found in freshwaters.

The current pandemic situation has given us a stern warning for our deeds. Since all the humans have been in lockdown, mother nature literally got time to breathe a sigh of relief. And the way nature has revived and rejuvenated itself is just stupendous. The serenity of nature is blissful. The list of examples is endless, and the change has been felt by all of us. Right from the chirping of birds to the amazing canvas the sky creates every day, with lesser shades of gray and pollution. The wildlife is returning to their spared homes, and we saw the adorable Gangetic Dolphins returning back to the Ghats of river Ganga in Kolkata. Their recent spotting has brought cheer to all those who worked for their conservation. According to Hindustan Times, as many as 110 dolphins were spotted in a 90 km stretch from Kaushambi to Handia in a recent dolphin population mapping project.

Says the Gangetic Dolphin, “O Hail Covid-19, Hail! For what an impossible task got
achieved!
My once upon a time home, is now pollution free!
Hello Humankind how do you do?
Thank You for locking yourselves inside, I humbly express my gratitude.
Once upon a time I inhabited the entire of Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin,
But got extinct from most of the regions due to your committed sins.
I am the pride of your nation,
One of nature’s most genius creation.
There’s no end to your greed,
And the current situation is an appraisal letter for your deed.
Since you all have been in lockdown,
Just look around!
Mother nature is thriving with energy,
So and such which never happened since past few centuries.
Endless list of examples surrounds you,
Isn’t the sky now much more blue?

There are lesser shades of grey and pollution,
And wildlife returning to their spared homes,
Who knew the end of this human contamination?
And how freely we’ll be able to roam.
Roaming and roaming we came back to Kolkata Ghats
Where once existed our actual habitat.
Hey there you kiddos, do you know what my presence indicates?
The health of the river ecosystem & quality of water that you taste.
Before this breakthrough entry of mine, there was pollution, getting caught in nets, and loss
of life.
I was and am hunted for meat, oil, and I couldn’t even strife!
The dams you’ve built disturb my breeding cycle and migration,
Alas! leaving our families in isolation.
So now I’d like to ask you something.
Do you see the future coming?
How important it is for all of us to survive,
Together maintaining the biodiversity.
For nature alone doesn’t allow only humans to revive
Because then the outcome is adversity.
Is Covid-19 enough to make you realise?
What forest fires, melting glaciers and super hurricanes couldn’t?
And it’s high time that you recognize
That you have to become more prudent.
There’s a deeper sickness that lies
Which only your actions can cure.
The ancient forests and the oceans,
Which endured your actions with some hope for sure.
Make use of this opportunity
And save the Planet Earth “Community”.
Afterall we’re all a family.

Whether nature’s signals directly given to you are enough? If apocalyptic fires aren’t enough, if vanishing glaciers aren’t enough, if super hurricanes aren’t enough, and if at all this virus
causing so much sickness in your species is enough…. Then only you can choose to be the cure to the deeper sickness, & nurture the ancient oceans, forests that nurtured you, making
wise choices everyday in the way you live. As the earth stops to make a collective deep breath, you’ve a rare opportunity to reimagine and redefine a new future. And now is the
best time to decide!!”

Help us Help Them! Think Wildlife Foundation is a non profit organization with various conservation initiatives. Our most prominent campaign is our Caring for Pari intiative. Pari is a rehabilitated elephant at the Wildlife SoS Hospital. 25% of the profits from our store are donated to the elephant hospital for Pari. Other than buying our wonderful merchandise, you could donate directly to our Caring For Pari fundraiser.