India records 6,327 river dolphins in 1st nationwide survey

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - India has estimated a total of 6,327 river dolphins in its first-ever dolphin population survey, according to a newly released government report.

The range-wide survey, conducted from 2021 to 2023, covered more than 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles) across eight states along the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers to assess dolphin numbers, the report said.

According to the findings, the northern state of Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest population at 2,397, followed by Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

In 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Project Dolphin, an initiative aimed at conserving dolphins and other aquatic ecosystems. The project seeks to protect both river and marine dolphins, officials said.

India is home to two dolphin species, the Ganges and Indus dolphins, both of which are listed under the country’s Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, granting them the highest level of protection.

The report estimated 5,689 dolphins in the Ganga River and 635 in the Brahmaputra.

Regarding the Indus River dolphin, the survey recorded three individuals, but the recent mortality of an adult female has reduced the known population to two.