India has completed its first population estimation of riverine dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems, with the findings expected to be released soon, officials announced on Monday. This marks a significant milestone under Project Dolphin, a conservation initiative launched in 2020 to protect dolphins in both freshwater rivers and coastal waters.
The survey, conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India over two years, spanned 8,000 kilometers across these river systems, focusing on two species—the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin. The Ganges river dolphin, native to the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system, is found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, while a smaller population of the Indus river dolphin inhabits the Indus River system in India.
“This is the first of its kind in the world, and the results will provide a baseline for future population assessments,” an official stated. The estimation will help in understanding the current status of these endangered species and guide future conservation efforts.
Project Dolphin’s primary focus is on protecting the Ganges river dolphin, which serves as an important indicator of a healthy river ecosystem. Dolphins thrive in clean, flowing water, and their population numbers provide crucial insights into the health of river systems. The government is also planning a marine dolphin population estimation, with a focus on eco-sensitive areas, to extend conservation efforts beyond freshwater habitats.