Population Status of River Dolphins in India

Introduction
 

Recently, in March 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released India’s first comprehensive river dolphin population report during a National Board for Wildlife meeting at Gir National Park, Gujarat. Conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under Project Dolphin, the study surveyed 8,507 km across 28 rivers in eight states. The report estimated 6,327 river dolphins, including 6,324 Ganges River Dolphins and 3 Indus River Dolphins. This landmark study provides a scientific baseline for future conservation efforts.
 

Survey Highlights
 

Dolphins	Number
Total Population	6,327
Ganga Main Stem	3,275
Ganga Tributaries	2,414
Brahmaputra Main Stem	584
Brahmaputra Tributaries	412
Beas River (Indus Dolphin)	101

 

State-wise Distribution:
 

State	Number of Dolphins
Uttar Pradesh	2,397
Bihar	2,220
West Bengal	815
Assam	635
Jharkhand	162

 

This survey offers a scientifically accurate baseline but does not show a population trend due to varying methods over time.
 

Why Is Counting Dolphins Difficult?
 

Unlike tigers or elephants, which can be photographed for individual identification, river dolphins are difficult to count due to:

1. Aquatic Habitat: They remain underwater, surfacing only briefly to breathe.
2. Lack of Visual Markers: Unlike tigers' stripes or elephants' ears, individual dolphins cannot be uniquely identified.
3. Use of Echolocation: These dolphins are blind, relying on sound waves (echolocation) to navigate and hunt.
    

Survey Methodology
 

To overcome these challenges, the survey used advanced acoustic hydrophones (underwater microphones) along with boat-based visual observations.

• Triangulation Method: Observers on boats tracked dolphin locations using two separate teams to avoid double-counting.
• Hydrophone Technology: Echolocation clicks emitted by dolphins were recorded to confirm their presence.
• Trained Observers: Since this was India's first scientific dolphin count, surveyors were trained in modern techniques.
   

The next dolphin survey is scheduled for 2029, using improved methods to analyze trends over time.
 

Ecological Importance of Ganges River Dolphins
 

The Ganges River Dolphin is a keystone species, meaning its presence indicates the overall health of freshwater ecosystems. Its importance includes:
 

• Maintaining the Food Chain: As an apex predator, it regulates fish and crustacean populations.
• Indicator of Water Quality: A declining dolphin population signals high pollution levels in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.
• Ecosystem Balance: Its survival ensures the stability of freshwater biodiversity.
   

Major Threats to the Ganges River Dolphin
 

Despite legal protection, the species faces multiple conservation challenges:
 

1. Habitat Destruction

• Dams and Barrages (like Farakka Barrage and Tehri Dam) fragment river connectivity, isolating dolphin populations.
• Dredging for Inland Waterways (such as National Waterway 1 on the Ganga) disturbs the riverbed, affecting their habitat.
   

2. Pollution Crisis

• Industrial Effluents (from cities like Kanpur, Patna, and Kolkata) lead to toxic contamination.
• Agricultural Runoff (fertilizers and pesticides) reduces prey availability.
• Plastic Waste increases ingestion risks and microplastic accumulation in their bodies.
   

3. Fishing Net Entanglement

• Many dolphins die accidentally in illegal gill nets used for fishing.
• Some fishermen hunt dolphins for their oil, falsely believed to have medicinal properties.
   

4. Climate Change Impacts

• Erratic Monsoons affect river flow, impacting dolphin movement and prey distribution.
• Increasing River Salinity (due to sea-level rise) threatens dolphin survival in the Sundarbans region.
   

Government Initiatives for Dolphin Conservation
 

1. Legal Protection

• Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (same level of protection as tigers).
• CITES Appendix I & IUCN Endangered Status (global conservation priority).
   

2. Project Dolphin (Launched in 2021)

• Inspired by Project Tiger, this initiative focuses on dolphin habitat restoration, awareness, and community involvement.
• Implemented under the Namami Gange Programme for Ganga rejuvenation.
   

3. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (Bihar)

• India’s only protected area for river dolphins, covering 60 km of the Ganges River in Bhagalpur.
   

4. Satellite Tagging of Dolphins

• In December 2024, India successfully satellite-tagged a Ganges River Dolphin for the first time in Assam.
• This project monitors migration routes and identifies high-risk zones for conservation action.
   

5. Community Participation & Awareness

• PM Narendra Modi, during a Wildlife Board meeting in Gujarat (March 2025), emphasized involving local communities and students in dolphin conservation.
• The World Bank, in collaboration with local fishermen, launched awareness programs, leading to 93% of surveyed fishers pledging to protect dolphins.
   

Way Forward: Strengthening Dolphin Conservation
 

1. Stricter Law Enforcement

• Ban on gill nets in key dolphin habitats.
• Heavy penalties for illegal hunting and pollution violations.
   

2. Sustainable River Management

• Eco-friendly inland waterways with designated dolphin conservation zones.
• Minimizing dredging activities in dolphin hotspots.
   

3. Strengthening Research and Monitoring

• Satellite tracking expansion for better movement data.
• More frequent population surveys (every 4 years instead of 8).
   

4. Regional and International Cooperation

• Collaboration with Bangladesh and Nepal for transboundary conservation efforts.
• Strengthening research partnerships with WWF, IUCN, and WCS.
   

Conclusion
 

The Ganges River Dolphin is not just an endangered species but a crucial component of India’s freshwater ecosystem. The 2025 population survey marks a significant step forward, providing scientific insights for future conservation strategies. However, persistent challenges require a multi-dimensional approach, integrating legal protection, scientific research, habitat restoration, and community participation.
 

With sustained efforts, India can ensure that the Susu(Ganges River Dolphin) continues to thrive as a symbol of healthy rivers and biodiversity conservation.
 

Dolphin Species Found in India
 

The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), India's National Aquatic Animal, is a vital part of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system. This freshwater dolphin, often called the susu, serves as a crucial indicator of river health.
 

Also, Indus River Dolphin is the State Aquatic Animal of Punjab
 

Dolphin Species	Type	Location	Habitat	Conservation Status (IUCN)
Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)	Freshwater	Ganga, Brahmaputra, Meghna river systems	Freshwater	Endangered
Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)	Freshwater	Beas River (Punjab)	Freshwater	Endangered
Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)	Coastal & Estuarine	Chilika Lake (Odisha), Sundarbans (West Bengal)	Brackish water (Fresh & Saltwater mix)	Endangered
Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis)	Marine (Saltwater)	West Coast (Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal)	Saltwater	Vulnerable
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)	Marine (Saltwater)	Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea	Saltwater	Near Threatened