Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?

1. A

   Saltwater crocodile

   (a) Saltwater crocodile. Crocodylus porosus is protected in Bhitarkanika and the Andamans, but it is not the national aquatic animal.

2. B

   Olive ridley turtle

   (b) Olive ridley turtle. Famous for Gahirmatha arribadas; a Schedule I marine turtle, not the national aquatic animal.

3. C

   Gangetic dolphin

   (c) Gangetic dolphin. Platanista gangetica was declared India’s national aquatic animal in 2009. That is the official key.

4. D

   Gharial

   (d) Gharial. Gavialis gangeticus is a critically endangered crocodilian of the Ganga system, not the national aquatic animal.

Summary. Official key is (c) Gangetic dolphin. The Ganges river dolphin was notified as the national aquatic animal in 2009. Saltwater crocodile, olive ridley and gharial are important fauna but do not hold that title. Only the Gangetic dolphin matches.