India’s first-ever population survey of riverine dolphins has revealed a total of 6,327 dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems, according to a government report released on Monday. Conducted under Project Dolphin, this large-scale survey aimed to estimate the dolphin population across eight states—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and Punjab. The findings show Uttar Pradesh leading with 2,397 dolphins, followed by Bihar (2,220), West Bengal (815), Assam (635), Jharkhand (162), Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (95 each), and Punjab (3).

The Ganges river dolphin, recognized for its distinctive features, inhabits the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. A smaller population of the Indus river dolphin, closely related to the Ganges dolphin, exists in the Indus river system, particularly in India’s Beas River.

Titled "Population Status of River Dolphin in India", the report highlights this as one of the largest freshwater dolphin surveys globally, covering the full range of the Ganges river dolphin in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and the Indus river dolphin in the Beas River. The study estimated 6,327 Ganges river dolphins (ranging from 5,977 to 6,688) and three Indus river dolphins. The results indicate that dolphins thrive in deeper waters with minimal human disturbance.

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020, Project Dolphin aims to protect river dolphins and their ecosystems. Since river dolphins have slow growth rates and live in fragile environments, monitoring their populations is essential for conservation. The survey, spanning over 8,000 km between 2021 and 2023, assessed 58 rivers—with 28 surveyed by boat and 30 by road, focusing on historical dolphin habitats. The results provide crucial insights for conservation efforts, ensuring these rare and iconic creatures continue to survive in India’s river systems.

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