First River Dolphin Census Reveals 6,327 Dolphins In India’s Major River Systems
The survey, part of ‘Project Dolphin’, estimates dolphin populations across eight states, with Uttar Pradesh leading in numbers
A survey has revealed that India is home to 6,327 river dolphins across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems. Conducted under Project Dolphin, this is the first-ever comprehensive population estimation of river dolphins in India, covering eight states from 2021 to 2023.
The Ganga river dolphin, predominantly found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system, makes up the majority of the population, with Uttar Pradesh recording the highest numbers at 2,397, followed by Bihar at 2,220. Smaller populations are found in West Bengal, Assam, and other states, with Punjab reporting just 3 dolphins.
The survey, one of the world’s largest freshwater wildlife assessments, included 58 rivers over 8,000 km, using both boat and road surveys. The findings highlight the importance of deep waters and minimal human disturbances for dolphin populations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Project Dolphin in 2020 to conserve these endangered species and their aquatic habitats.
