Ganges Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle ("Chitra indica"), Indian softshell turtle ("Nilssonia gangetica"), Indian peacock softshell turtle ("N. hurum") and Cantor's giant softshell turtle ("Pelochelys cantorii"; only in the lowermost section of Ganges basin). Most of these are seriously threatened. The river's most famed fauna is the freshwater Ganges river dolphin ("Platanista gangetica gangetica"), which has been declared India's national aquatic animal. This dolphin used to exist in large schools near to urban centres in both the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, but is now seriously threatened by pollution and dam construction. Their numbers have now dwindled to a quarter of their numbers
Patna Marathon "Gangetic Dolphin" has been chosen as the Mascot for Patna Marathon. It has been named "Paltan" which is derived from the biological name of the species "Platanista Gangetica". The mascot has been developed to raise awareness about the conservation needs of the most threatened cetacean and among the world's most threatened mammals and its habitat. Patna Marathon is organized by the Bihar Entrepreneur network (BEN) in association with Bihar Society, Karma Society and various other individuals and organizations. Patna Marathon The Patna Marathon 2012 (PM 2012) is the first international-level marathon organised in Patna, Bihar, India. First edition was held