To save the endangered species of whale sharks in the country, commonly known as ‘Vhali’, the female species of the mammal has to be saved in large numbers and that too till they reach an age where they can start breeding.
Commemorating the contribution made for this novel initiative, a day long celebration, 'the Whale Shark Day' was held in Dwarka on Friday. Referring to the high ratio of female whale sharks found in the Saurashtra coast, researcher, Dr John Keesing of Australian common wealth, Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation said, "About 85% of the whales are spotted along the Australian coast are small males while 60% of the species found turned out to be females. Today saving the female population of this endangered species is important. Though researchers in the area are at an early stage at present have found that the females need to be several years old to be matured enough to breed."
Head of committee development, TATA chemicals, Alka Talwar said, "Spreading awareness among the school children is very important and we have started around 22 eco clubs in various schools here." A day-long celebration was held which witnessed enthusiastic participation from fishermen, forest officials, school children and locals who were undertaken at Dwarka, Gujarat, wherein people from the nearby villages and school came together and participated in the activities to lend their support to protect and conserve Whale Shark and the coral reef along the coastline of Gujarat.
Last year, the Gujarat Forest Department and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a conservation research programme on whale sharks and corals. Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL) and WTI signed a MoU for a conservation project to create awareness and undertake research, to save the species of Whale Shark that visits the coast of Gujarat.
