Gangetic Dolphin Conservation in India

Gangetic Dolphin Conservation in India: Short Notes

Introduction

The Ganges river dolphin is India’s National Aquatic Animal (declared in 2009) and a key bio-indicator of river ecosystem health. Over time, multiple surveys, institutional initiatives, and conservation programmes have shaped India’s dolphin conservation framework.

Chronological Developments

1. Early Conservation & Recognition Phase

• 2009:
  • Gangetic dolphin declared National Aquatic Animal of India
• IUCN Status:
  • Shifted from ‘Vulnerable’ to ‘Endangered’ in 1996
  • Continues as Endangered (2022–2025 assessments)
• Legal Protection:
  • Listed under Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

2. Institutional and Policy Development Phase

• 2013:
  • Dolphin conservation project approved by Planning Commission
  • Then Deputy Chairman: Montek Singh Ahluwalia
• 2020:
  • Launch of Project Dolphin (15 August 2020)
  • Foundation stone laid for National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC)

3. State-Level Census and Research Initiatives

• Bihar Aquatic Census (First of its kind):
  • Conducted by:
    • Zoological Survey of India
    • Wildlife Trust of India
    • Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University
  • Estimated:
    • 1,150 dolphins in Bihar rivers
• Key Personality:
  • Ravindra Kumar Sinha
    • Played a crucial role in dolphin conservation awareness

4. National Infrastructure and Awareness Initiatives

• National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC):
  • Located at:
    • Patna University (on Ganga River banks)
  • Purpose:
    • Dolphin research and river ecosystem studies
• National Dolphin Day:
  • Celebrated on 5 October
• Dolphin Breeding Centre (Proposed):
  • Location:
    • Hastinapur
  • Stretch:
    • Bijnor Barrage – Hastinapur – Narora Barrage
  • Aim:
    • Breeding and release into Ganga

5. First Nationwide Dolphin Estimation (Baseline Study)

• Conducted by:
  • Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• Key Findings:
  • Total population: 6,327 dolphins
    • 6,324 Ganges dolphins
    • 3 Indus dolphins
• Coverage:
  • 28 rivers across 8 states
  • 8,507 km river stretch

River-wise Distribution

State-wise Distribution

Ecological Observations

• Prefer:
  • Confluences
  • Meanders
  • Mid-channel islands
• Historical trend:
  • Decline from 4,000–5,000 → ~1,800, now showing recovery trend

6. Second Nationwide Dolphin Survey (Ongoing)

• Started from:
  • Bijnor
• Coordinated by:
  • Wildlife Institute of India
• Collaborating organisations:
  • World Wide Fund for Nature
  • Wildlife Trust of India
  • Aaranyak

Focus Areas

• Population estimation
• Habitat quality assessment
• Threat analysis:
  • Fishing nets
  • Low water levels
  • Pollution

Conclusion

India’s approach to dolphin conservation has evolved from species recognition (2009) to policy (Project Dolphin 2020), scientific estimation (2025), and now continuous monitoring (second survey). The integration of research institutions, conservation programmes, and field surveys reflects a comprehensive and structured conservation framework for protecting riverine biodiversity.