Context
At the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC-70) in Hobart, Australia, India called for science-based conservation and international cooperation to protect whales and other cetaceans. The meeting coincides with the 80th anniversary of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW).
Explanation
- Cetaceans are aquatic mammals comprising whales, dolphins and porpoises.
- IWC was established under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), 1946, signed in Washington, D.C.
- It is the global body concerned with whaling management and whale conservation; India joined in 1981.
- Cetaceans in Indian waters receive the highest level of legal protection under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Project Dolphin adopts an ecosystem-based approach for conserving dolphins, whales, porpoises and their aquatic habitats.
- India has notified Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that also conserve marine biodiversity.
- India has identified the Arabian Sea humpback whale among species requiring focused conservation action.
- Major threats include bycatch, ship strikes, pollution, underwater noise and habitat degradation.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
Cetacean Conservation: India’s Commitment at IWC-70