Study OAS · 18 March 2025

India's First Comprehensive River Dolphin Survey

• India has conducted its first-ever comprehensive river dolphin survey, estimating the presence of 6,327 river dolphins across the country.
• The survey, conducted under Project Dolphin, was a collaborative effort by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).

  Key Findings:

• Species Distribution:

  • Gangetic Dolphins: 6,324 individuals found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra River systems.
  • Indus River Dolphins: Only 3 individuals recorded in the Beas River, Punjab.

• State-Wise Population:

  • Uttar Pradesh: 2,397 dolphins (highest population).
  • Bihar: 2,220 dolphins.
  • West Bengal: 815 dolphins.
  • Assam: 635 dolphins.
  • Jharkhand: 162 dolphins.
  • Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh: 95 dolphins.
  • Punjab: 3 dolphins.

• Survey Methodology:

  • Combined visual surveys and acoustic monitoring to ensure accuracy.
  • Covered 28 rivers by boat and 30 rivers by road, spanning a total distance of 8,507 km.

    Conservation Challenges:

• Threats to River Dolphins:

  • Pollution: Industrial and agricultural runoff contaminates river habitats.
  • Habitat Destruction: Dam construction and riverbed mining disrupt ecosystems.
  • Fishing Practices: Accidental entanglement in fishing nets poses a significant risk.
  • Climate Change: Altered water flow and temperature impact dolphin populations.

    Government Initiatives:

• Project Dolphin:

  • Launched in 2020 to conserve both marine and riverine dolphins.
  • Focuses on engaging local communities, forest departments, and fisheries for conservation efforts.

• Legal Protection:

  • River dolphins are classified as Endangered and are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

    Additional Information:

    Gangetic River Dolphins:

• Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica.
• Habitat: Found in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna River systems.
• Significance:

  • Act as bio-indicators, reflecting the health of freshwater ecosystems.
  • Play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of river habitats.

• Unique Features:

  • Functionally blind, they rely on echolocation to navigate and hunt.