India's First-Ever River Dolphin Population Estimation Reveals 6,327 Dolphins
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News? | India conducted its first-ever population estimation of riverine dolphins, revealing a total of 6,327 dolphins across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems. |
| Project Name | Project Dolphin - Launched by PM Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020, to conserve river dolphins and their habitats. |
| Total Population | - Ganges River Dolphin: 6,327 (Range: 5,977 - 6,688) - Indus River Dolphin: 3 (found in the Beas River, Punjab) |
| Top States by Dolphin Population | 1. Uttar Pradesh - 2,397 2. Bihar - 2,220 3. West Bengal - 815 4. Assam - 635 5. Jharkhand - 162 6. Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh - 95 7. Punjab - 3 |
| Survey Details | - Conducted between 2021-2023 across 8 states. - Covered 58 rivers using boat surveys (28 rivers) and road surveys (30 rivers). - Total survey area: 8,000 km. |
| Importance of River Dolphins | - Indicator species reflecting freshwater ecosystem health. - Their presence signifies good water quality and minimal human disturbance. |
| Threats to Dolphins | 1. Pollution - Industrial and agricultural waste. 2. Habitat Destruction - Dams, sand mining, water diversion. 3. Accidental Deaths - Entanglement in fishing nets. |